May 12th, 2022 edition

The St. LouiS AmericAn

Karine Jean-Pierre continues historic firsts

Named White House press secretary

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

The national firsts for Black women in America

continued last week when Karine Jean-Pierre was named White House press secretary.

“This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me,” she said on May 5, 2022, when asked about her appointment during a White House press briefing.

“I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities, that I stand on their shoulders and I have been throughout my career.”

Several area Black women who have built outstanding careers and businesses in communications

Grad chapter

Biology majors Trinity Cole-Reid and Jaida Felton showing thanks and excitement to family and friends during Harris-Stowe State University’s graduation Saturday, May 7, 2022.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki introduces incoming press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Washington.

Advocates say more Black women will die if abortions are banned

By Andrea Y. Henderson St. Louis Public Radio

Black doctors and abortion advocates in St. Louis say that Black women will suffer the most if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that made abortions legal. If the high court rules that way, as a draft opinion obtained last week by Politico indicates, states could ban abortions. Missouri has a “trigger law” that would ban

abortion in most cases. Abortion advocates say Black women seeking an abortion would have to travel to Illinois or other states where it is legal. That would be difficult for those who have to take off work without pay, arrange child care and find transportation to other states, said Dr. Jade James, an obstetrician and gynecologist for SSM Health. “Women are going to have to make decisions about where to go, how to get there and what to do,” James said. “In terms of

seeking quality abortion care, some women unfortunately, are going to seek abortion care and are going to receive what we consider substandard care.”

Many Black women would not be able to overcome those barriers. That could force them to carry risky pregnancies to term and lead to more Black women dying during childbirth, James said.

“When we talk about maternal mortality,

COVID’s impact on the Black Church

‘There’s no camaraderie anymore. They’re throwing kisses from a distance.’

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

A Jan. 22, 2022, CBS News report detailed the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on churches nationwide. According to the news report, even with help from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, thousands of congregations across the country are struggling to stay afloat financially or minister to their flocks. Rev. Tommie L. Pierson, says his church, Greater St. Mark’s Family Church in St. Louis County, is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.

“It really hurt our church,” Pierson confessed. “We were closed for about a year. The greatest impact was financial. We happen to be one of those churches with a lot of bills, so it hurt us pretty bad. We’re still feeling the pain even though we’ve been open for the past several months. People are not coming back like they were.”

The CBS report shared statistics from Faith Communities Today, a multi-faith research coalition. Of the nearly 15,300 congregations surveyed in its 2020 report, the coalition noted how the pandemic exacerbated already existing problems, especially with churches with small congregations with already lean budgets.

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and

Photo courtesy of The AP

Akeem Shannon’s Flipstik is now available at Target. His startup gained momentum after his “Shark Tank” appearance.

St. Louis inventor hits bullseye

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

– Rev. Tommie L. Pierson, Pastor of Greater St. Mark’s Family Church

Kevin Samuels, YouTuber notorious for misogyny, dies

Kevin Samuels, known for his controversial relationship advice videos on YouTube, has died. He was 56.

His mother confirmed his death to NBC News.

Word of his death began circulating on social media Thursday night, May 5, 2022.

Samuels’ mother, Beverly SamuelsBurch, did not disclose how he died. She told multiple outlets she found out about his passing online.

“That was a terrible thing; for social media to put that out. I didn’t even know. I hadn’t even been notified,” Samuels-Burch told NBC on Friday. “All I’m doing is requesting that people pray for us.”

NBC reports Atlanta officials responded to a call on Thursday morn-

ing about an injured person inside an apartment. CPR was performed, and the unresponsive victim was later identified as Samuels.

The police report alleges an unnamed woman inside the apartment told them Samuels complained of chest pain, and she tried to help him, but he fell. She then called 911.

Samuels was transported to Piedmont Hospital. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office told the media they couldn’t confirm or deny any details.

Samuels’ YouTube channel attracts 1.4 million subscribers. It features him discussing dating and relationships. Many social media users disapproved of his opinions, often saying he was misogynistic toward Black women.

Will Janelle Monáe be able to fill Josephine Baker’s shoes?

Janelle Monáe stars as St. Louisborn iconic jazz performer, French resistance agent, and civil rights activist Josephine Baker in “De La Resistance,” an upcoming television series produced by A24.

The show focuses on the peak of Baker’s entertainment career and her affiliation with Allied spies during World War II. Wondaland, Monáe’s production company, will produce the series.

Damien Lewis, author of the books “The Flame of Resistance” and “Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy”, will also co-executive produce the show, as well as research.

Make way, Bad Bunny will be Marvel’s first Latinx superhero

Puerto Rican singer Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, is coming to a big screen near you in Marvel’s “Muerto.” Bunny’s lead role marks the first time a Latinx actor will have a live-action superhero film in the Marvel franchise.

Bunny stars as Juan Carlos Estrada/ El Muerto, an unorthodox protagonist who gains his powers from a mask inherited from his family.

The movie is a spinoff of SpiderMan, where El Muerto is scheduled to attend a wrestling charity event to fight and expose who is behind the Spider-Man mask..

“I love wrestling. I grew up watching wrestling, and I’m a wrestler. I’m a former champion, so this is why I love this character. I think it’s the perfect role for me, and it will be epic,” Ocasio said during a surprise appearance at CinemaCon.

The film is scheduled for release on Jan. 12, 2024.

Young Thug might be living up to his name

Young Thug Gunna, and 28 associates and members of Thug’s record label and imprint YSL ( Young Slime Life/Young Stoner Life/ Young Slatt Life) have been indicted on gang activity and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations charges [RICO.]

Thug’s brother Unfoonk, Yak Gotti, and PeeWee Roscoe were also indicted. Founded in 2012, YSL is defined by the indictment as a “criminal street gang” associated with the Bloods.

All defendants were charged with scheming to voilate RICO laws, while Thug and Gunna are also facing armed robbery, aggravated assault, drugs, and weapon charges. Yak Gotti and four others were charged with the murder of Donovan Thomas Jr., “a rival gang member,” killed in January 2015. Thug is accused of renting a car associated with the murder. After the initial charges were announced Young Thug was charged with seven additional felonies, according to online records viewed by Pitchfork.

Sources: NBC News, NPR, Deadline, Pitchfork, comingsoon.net

Keyes to success

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

Harris-Stowe State University celebrated its Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 7, 2022, and there was a feeling of family in the Emerson Performance Center. This was not lost on LaTonia Collins Smith, HSSU president.

“We create long lasting family ties with our students. That’s the power of HarrisStowe,” she said.

“You have overcome tremendous obstacles in your educational journey, and your story will serve as a beacon of light and hope to all.”

After the departure of former HSSU President Corey S. Bradford Sr., shortly after last year’s commencement, Smith was named interim president on June 1, 2021. She was named the 21st president of the university on Feb. 28, 2022 and was presiding over her first commencement.

Like her ascension to the HSSU presidency after serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs, Smith in her message to graduates said “this is truly a monumental milestone in your life.”

Valerie Patton, Greater St. Louis Inc., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office chief, and Greater St. Louis Foundation president, told graduates during her welcome greeting

“You now have something that nobody can take away. That is something better than silver and gold.”

“You have knowledge. You have skills that will allow you to carry on amazing exploits in the world. You have the knowledge of a graduate of an institution that has a great, extraordinary, and distinguished heritage.”

Christian Keyes, an actor, producer, and author who was born and raised in Michigan, began his commencement address by telling graduates, “The last thing you need is

another lecture, so this is not a speech. I just want to share a few things I’ve learned over my 46 years on this Earth”

He challenged graduates to pursue their dreams “and lean into them.”

“Start that thing. Create that thing. Don’t be afraid. Failure hurts a lot less than regret. I promise you that,” said Keyes, whose acting credits include Tyler Perry’s “What’s Done in the Dark,” and “Madea Goes to Jail, and BET’s Let’s Stay Together.”

While in college, Keyes said

he made drawings of a Bentley SUV he pictured in his mind.

“I never showed anybody. I thought they would laugh at me. Who is going to take me seriously?” he said.

“What came out in 2018? They didn’t steal my idea. God gave that vision to somebody else because I didn’t move on it when He gave it to me. I didn’t have the audacity to pursue it. You should have that audacity to chase those [dreams.]

“It will give you the opportunity to hire folks who look like us, because nobody treats us or

celebrates us like us.”

He told graduates that it is great to have goals, but there is still work to be done to achieve them.

“I hope you fall in love with the process of getting better. If you do that, it makes you dangerous and unstoppable,” he said.

“Chase ‘the bag.’ I know

‘the bag’ is money, but this bag isn’t money. The bag is your purpose. The money will come when you are chasing your true purpose. The best is yet to come. Your best years are yet to come.”

He shared with the audience that he was a foster child, had lived in many homes and had been homeless. He was a victim of “vicious child abuse.”

“I only tell you that to be transparent. It built character, it built strength. Regardless of what you have been through, be fearless. Continue to educate yourself. Be accountable. Be great,” Keyes said. “Be fearless. Educate yourself, be accountable.”

L E A R N W H I L E Y O U E A R N

A variety of well-paying jobs are available in St Louis at companies including: Amazon Fulfillment Center - Deer Valley Home Health - Spectrum - First Student - BJC HealthcareUnited Health Group - Smart Pac Inc - SSM Health - Schnucks - The Home Quest GroupRevive Janitorial - Penske - Walmart - MediPlex Health and others Let us connect you to work and valuable resources through

SkillUP is a free program that helps Food Stamp (SNAP) recipients get help with skills, training, and employer connections to get a job (or a better job) A SkillUP job coach from the agencies below will work with you to create an individual plan to help you reach your goals and start a new career

Better Family Life

Ask for Ida Roundtree 5415 Page Avenue St Louis, MO 63112 314-367-3440 ext 500 iroundtree@betterfamilylife org

Mission: St Louis

Ask for Genesis Glover 3018 N Grand Boulevard St Louis, MO 63107 314-681-1130 genesis@missionstl org

Employment Connection

Ask for Christina Brewington 2838 Market Street St Louis, MO 63103 314-333-5665 brewingtonc@employmentstl org

Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis

Ask for Rosemary Batteast 8960 Jennings Station Road St Louis, MO 63136 314-227-1624 rbatteast@urbanleague-stl org

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Actor Christian Keyes challenged graduates to pursue their dreams and not be afraid to fail in pursuit of their goals during his commencement address at Harris-Stowe State University on May 7, 2022.

Guest Editorial

The end of Roe and what it would mean for the Black community

“Racial justice and reproductive rights are inseparable”

By Alexis McGill Johnson

The leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft was shocking but not surprising. The writing has been on the wall, in big bold letters, for years. The Court confirmed the authenticity of a draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eviscerate abortion access in the United States. Overturning Roe would be an unprecedented travesty. And in the midst of our rage, sorrow, and exhaustion, we must wrestle with yet another question: what does this moment mean specifically for Black people, when the laws of this land have so often been intended to control our bodies?

Racial justice and reproductive rights are, and have always been, inseparable.

Anti-abortion zealots weaponize our bodies for their ends. When I started working in academia and racial justice, I never thought it would lead to abortion rights. But one day over a decade ago, I was walking down a street in Manhattan and saw a cute Black girl on a billboard. I got closer, and saw the words underneath her read, “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” I was livid and I wanted to do something about it. I wanted the dignity and humanity of Black women to not just be at the table but running the table.

people that suffer the worst consequences of abortion restrictions and bans. For too many Black and Brown people in the U.S., abortion is already a right in name alone. Getting an abortion may require hours or days of travel time, days off from work or school, childcare arrangements, navigating unsafe home situations, and money. Any or all of these factors may force a person to carry an unwanted pregnancy. And in the United States, pregnancy carries particular risks for Black people. Structural racism means we are at a significantly greater risk of dying or suffering severe complications during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and queer people have always been central to the fight for reproductive freedom, even when their voices and needs were not centered. And sometimes, that’s not how Planned Parenthood has acted. By centering whiteness, we’ve contributed to America’s harm of Black women and other women of color.

Things just got worse in America

By Ben Jealous

Things are about to get worse for millions of vulnerable people in our country.

It looks like the far rightwing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to reverse Roe v. Wade, the 50-year-old ruling that recognized a pregnant person’s right to have an abortion. Abortion is legal today, but soon that will no longer be the case in most of the country.

federal courts with judges who were willing, if not eager, to restrict or ban legal access to abortion. They made it a top priority when deciding whether and how to vote.

In the short term, it happened because Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. To energize the Republican Party’s ideological base, Trump promised them judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade. They took the deal Trump offered. They turned out to vote. And with help from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Trump gave them the kind of judges they wanted. And now that they have the power to impose their will, Americans’ freedom will shrink, and American families will suffer.

In fact, many are already

One important lesson is that the Supreme Court has an enormous impact on our lives, even though most of us don’t think about it day-to-day. We should all pay more attention. We should pay attention when the far right tells us what they plan to do with their political power. They have been loud and clear about their intent to overturn Roe v. Wade. But many Americans refused to believe that the threat to Roe v. Wade was real. They just could not imagine a 21st Century America in which women and doctors are treated like criminals for seeking or providing abortion care. We no longer need to imagine that kind of scenario. We’re about to live it. And that’s why we also must pay attention to the consequences of our voting behavior.

I read a draft decision of a sitting justice of the Supreme Court striking down the constitutional right to abortion citing the same absurd, racist reasoning as that billboard. He used fancier words and more of them, but his point is exactly the same: Black women cannot be trusted with the right to control their own bodies—the state must do it for them. Gaslighting, racism, and controlling pregnant people’s bodies: they are all part of the same terrible plan. While the enemies of reproductive freedom use Black bodies to strip freedoms, it is Black

I know Black people are exhausted. It’s been a long 400 years. But this is what we do. When you are ready, I need you to draw on your own well of strength and inspiration and join––rejoin––Planned Parenthood in this fight. Donate to abortionfunds.org to help those most in need. And attend a May 14 rally in St. Louis for a demonstration of our collective outrage on the attacks on abortion nationwide, and call for an end to abortion bans.

Together, we will refuse to surrender control of our bodies and our futures. We will ensure everyone, everywhere can access abortion and make the decisions that are right for themselves.

Alexis McGill Johnson is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. This commentary was originally published in the New York Amsterdam News

Losing Roe v. Wade must be a wake-up call

By Wesley Bell

Those who would relegate women to second-class citizens and take away their basic autonomy over their own bodies are clear in their focus - and they have been for decades. So, those of us who are determined to protect women’s autonomy over their own bodies must at least match, if not exceed, the focus and resolve of our opponents.

In this century, we are failing, and, on the evidence of a leaked U.S. Supreme court draft of an opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, the ruling that recognizes women’s autonomy over their own bodies, we are about to pay a terrible price. In 2016, our pro-choice majority let ourselves be divided in the presidential election. We allowed our infighting to give strength to a false equivalency between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Many of us accepted a false narrative that somehow Secretary Clinton - arguably the most qualified individual to ever run for U.S. president - was no different than a real estate developer and reality TV personality who literally admitted, among so many other offensive and reprehensible things, that as a celebrity he is entitled to “grab women by” the genitals. By the way, as a prosecutor, I can confirm that neither Trump nor any celebrity - or, in fact, anyone - enjoys this entitlement. I can confirm, in no uncertain terms, that there is a name for this unacceptable

and criminal behavior: “Sexual Assault.”

Too many progressive voters have an unfortunate habit of making the perfect the enemy of the good. How is that working out for us? Consider the following.

We have lost hard-won voting rights protections and protections for those discriminated against because of race in the workplace. We can’t get common sense gun laws passed, even while gun violence and mass shootings continue to escalate. In Missouri, we are still fighting for Medicaid expansion, even after it was approved by a large majority of voters in a statewide ballot initiative. Now - if the court majority recorded in the draft opinion holds - we are on the eve of seeing women lose the basic right to make decisions over their own bodies.

So, I would answer: It ain’t exactly working out too good for us. And, this dangerous development does not come out of the blue, not by any stretch. Many of us were screaming from the rooftops that if Hillary didn’t win against Trump, then Roe v. Wade would likely be reversed. We knew in 2016 that the next

president would likely select two or three Supreme Court justices. That draft opinion wasn’t a surprise or shouldn’t have been - far from it. It was a foreseeable consequence of any action other than voting for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

We must now say: No more. The playbook we’ve been using isn’t working for anyone other than our opponents. We need action that gets resultsthe results we want. To quote Cercei in “Game of Thrones,” we must choose “strategy.”

I am not a traitor like those Trumpistas who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, so I will never advocate for or even condone the violent overthrow of my government. But I digress.

Figuratively speaking, we can and should have a family feud during the Democratic Primary when we debate and argue our policy differences. But, once a majority of our party has elected a candidate and we get to the General Election, we must do as our opponents on the right do, even when many of them hate their nominee, as they did in 2016. We must get out and vote, and we must vote for our party’s nominee, the candidate most likely to protect our basic rights and advance the common good. We must get out and vote, and if you care about voting rights, women’s reproductive rights (among other basic and fundamental human rights), then vote for the damn Democrat. Please

Wesley Bell is St. Louis County prosecuting attorney

A leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling expected to be released in June indicates that the Court will rule that there is no constitutional protection for abortion. Bans will go into effect in many states immediately, and others will follow soon. That will leave millions of women and LGBTQ people – and their spouses and partners – less free and less in control of their own health, lives, and families. Like many laws and policy decisions handed down from on high, the harm will fall hardest on those with the fewest resources and political power –people of color and low-income people. It is hard to take.

How did this happen?

In the long term, it happened because opponents on the right to choose spent decades building a movement to make it happen. They invested time and money to elect like-minded politicians. They pushed Republican presidents to fill

n Like many laws and policy decisions handed down from on high, the harm will fall hardest on those with the fewest resources and political power – people of color and low-income people.

suffering. Anti-choice activists have harassed and sometimes killed abortion providers.

Judges have been letting state legislators pile on more restrictions on abortion care. As a result, in some states, the right to abortion care may exist in theory, but it is virtually nonexistent, because clinics and providers have disappeared.

There are hard times and hard decisions ahead.

There are also lessons to be learned and acted on.

Letter to the editor

Are we letting wealthy donors pick our next senator?

Last Tuesday, a Democratic group held an event that demonstrates all that is wrong with politics. The event features U.S. Senate candidates who have raised more than $1million, a “benchmark that is critical for running a successful campaign.”

Voters, then, may have the opportunity to meet two candidates: one who has raised most of his money from out of state donors and the other who by fortune of birth can self-fund her campaign.

The belief that money is the measure of success is demonstrably false. Well-funded Democrats have failed to win national elections for a decade.

For the most part, the judges who are letting states eliminate access to abortion are the same judges letting states limit voters’ access to the ballot box. They’re the same judges who restrict the government’s ability to regulate harmful corporate behavior. Many of them are the same judges who tried to deny millions of Americans access to health care provided by the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court justices and other federal judges who are put in place by the president and U.S. Senate have jobs for life. That means we are stuck with Trump’s judges for many years to come. And that means we all need to think long and hard about who we vote for –and about ever passing up the opportunity to vote.

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way

All letters are edited for length and

Still, we are led to believe that money makes the candidate, and then are shocked when money corrupts politicians.

Yes, money helps a campaign; but it is not the campaign. We deserve to hear from candidates who have proven they are more than fundraisers. We need to hear from candidates who are doing the work to meet Missourians where they are, to learn from them, and to represent them with policies that are fair and equitable and raise the quality of life for everyone.

Wealthy donors and political operatives should not be picking “winners” for us. But so long as money is the measuring stick, Democratic groups are doing their party - and its full range of candidates - a gross disservice.

Chris Shipley, St. Louis

Guest Columnist Alexis McGill Johnson

Guest Columnist Wesley Bell

Columnist

Ben Jealous

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is national honorary chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America food equity initiative, which includes offering 3,000 St. Louis area families free boxes of produce with 50 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Free produce baskets for area families available May 31

St. Louis American staff

Food insecurity and lack of nutritious foods remain a part of daily life in thousands of St. Louis area households.

To address the shortcomings, the Gateway Region YMCA and Partnership for a Healthier America [PHA] will offer 3,000 families free boxes of produce containing 50 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables beginning May 31, 2022.

Each family will receive a box for 12 weeks through the ‘Good Food for All’ PHA program, which is supported by the Missouri Foundation for Health.

“We know based on research done in the St. Louis region, that life expectancy can vary up to 35 years based on communities that are located only less than 30 miles apart,” Tim Helm, Gateway Region YMCA president and CEO said in a release.

“Participating in the ‘Good Food for All’ program is one of the ways we can continue to cultivate health equity within our communities and provide those experiencing food insecurity access to healthy food options.”

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 18% of the St. Louis region’s population lacks access to fresh fruits and vegetables for reasons including financial strain and unavailable reliable transportation to a grocery store.

The food deficiency crisis increases during summer months when school lunches are unavailable. Nationally, “Good Food for All” has delivered 18 million servings of produce to over 20,000 families across 28 cities, according to the PHA.

“By working with partners like the Gateway Region YMCA, we’re getting closer to achieving

food equity by creating solutions that make access to affordable, quality food a long-term reality for families in need,” said Jason Wilson, PHA vice president of marketing and development, said.

The ‘Good Food for All’ produce boxes are provided by Ole Tyme Produce, and families can sign up to reserve boxes at www.ahealthieramerica.org/ stlouis. The boxes will be distributed at one of eight YMCA locations.

Tuesdays: May 31 through August 16

• Affinia Healthcare (Downtown St. Louis)

1717 Biddle; St. Louis, MO 63106

Pick up: Tuesdays from 9-11 am

Wednesdays: June 1 through August 17

• O’Fallon Park Rec Complex

4343 W. Florissant; St. Louis, MO 63115

Pick up: Wednesdays from 11 am-1 pm

• Kirkwood Family YMCA

325 N Taylor Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Pick up: Wednesdays from 12:30-2:30 pm

• Edward Jones Family YMCA

12521 Marine Ave, Maryland Heights, MO 63146

Pick up: Wednesdays from 2-4 pm

• Emerson Family YMCA

3390 Pershall Rd; St. Louis, MO 63135

Pick up: Wednesdays from 4-6 pm

Thursdays: June 2 through August 18

• Bayer YMCA

5555 Page Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112

Pick up: Thursdays from 11 am-1 pm

• South City Family YMCA

3150 Sublette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139

Pick up: Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 pm

• Carondelet Park Rec Complex

930 Holly Hill; St. Louis, MO 63111

Pick up: Thursdays from 4-6 pm

What happens after graduation, especially for women?

By Julianne Malveaux

Graduations are an exciting time for most families. They will throng to auditoriums, gymnasiums, churches, or outdoor settings bearing flowers, balloons, and other goodies. They’ll go to lunch or dinner and share smiles and memories, congratulating the graduate on her achievement. Then what?

About four million people will receive degrees, from associate to doctorate. Too many of them, though, will walk from the graduation stage to a debt trap. Those who have student loans must start paying them six months after graduation or if their enrollment status falls below half-time.

Though student loan repayment was suspended (not forgiven) during COVID, payments must resume by September 1. Borrowers must repay whether they are employed or not. Although loan servicers will sometimes adjust loan terms with modified repayment plans.

Twenty-seven million Americans have student loan debt, totaling more than $1.7 billion. One in four Black women carries such obligation, the highest proportion of any population subgroup. Black women owe more than others.

And college-educated Black women earn less than other collegeeducated people, with Black women with a bachelor’s degree earning just $60,000 a year, compared to $75,000 for Black men, $67,000 for white women, and $91,000 for white men.

The Education Trust, a Washington, DC-based think tank, produced a report “How Black Women Experience Student Debt,” attributes the heavy debt burden Black women carry to unequal pay, the wealth gap, and flawed public policy. When we look at the debt through the lens of recent college graduates, it is essential to note that Black women’s unemployment rates may make loan repayment difficult.

If repayment is difficult, failure to pay will adversely affect a credit score, limiting the ability to rent an apartment or purchase a home.

In some cases, a low credit score may even limit employment possibilities. If you can’t work, you can’t repay your student loans, but if you can’t repay your student loans, you can’t work. While this situation is challenging for everyone, it is much worse for Black women.

Twelve years after leaving college, Black women owe 13% more on their loans than when they graduated, while white men have paid back 44% of their loans.

Black women end up owing more because interest piles up when they haven’t made their loan payments on time, and the unpaid interest adds to the already high debt. And because education is so highly valued among many Black women, a disproportionate number of Black women who earn doctorates earn them from costly for-profit colleges, offer little financial aid, and often have few student support services.

Some Black women graduate with six-figure debt to earn a doctorate that may only result in low-paid adjunct faculty employment when they compete against others with more traditional credentials.

The wealth gap has always been with us, and public policy sometimes makes the gap even wider than it needs to be. Why can’t students have the same lowinterest loans as banks? Why can’t students have the same loan forgiveness as some businesses during COVID? Why do we encourage students to pursue higher education, then penalize them with high costs of attendance and expensive loans? Community colleges and state universities are low-cost -- not at no cost. Yet the students who are enrolled in college are not only investing in themselves but in the future of our country.

If we value an educated workforce, we must rethink how we both fund higher education and pay for it. When students and parents push back on high costs and the crushing burden of student loans, higher education leaders will be forced to offer other alternatives. Meanwhile, Black women, passionate believers in the power of higher education, pay a very high price to pursue their passion.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

Photo courtesy of Partnership for a Healthier America

Julianne Malveaux

Before the pandemic, Pierson said his church had about 200 members. That number is now less than 40.

“It impacted our attitudes toward one another with everybody wearing masks and flying out of the doors after service, going straight to their cars,” Pierson said adding, “There’s no camaraderie anymore. People who do come don’t have the same friendly fellowshipping spirit. They don’t want to get too close to anybody. They’re not hugging and embracing like they used to. They’re throwing kisses from a distance.” Pierson said that shuttering his church wasn’t a hard decision. This was even before St. Louis County announced on March 23, 2020, that all non-essential businesses, which included churches, be closed. If they didn’t cease services outright, they had to abide by the county’s social distancing requirements with a 25% occupancy limit.

Following the lead of President Donald Trump who predicted it would be safe to reopen churches by Easter 2020, Republican Gov. Mike Parson announced plans to allow all businesses and religious organizations to reopen in April 2020. Pierson was among the Black pastors who

Jean-Pierre

Continued from A1 and marketing are hailing the news.

urged churches, especially those in the Black community, to remain closed.

“Closing was hard but then it wasn’t,” Pierson explained. “When the county suggested we close, we didn’t argue about it; we went ahead and did it. And that was because we wanted to protect our members, we didn’t want people to get sick.”

The pandemic’s unpredictable spread proved to be a battle for churches. There was the initial outbreak, then the highly transmissible Delta variant in 2021 followed by the even faster-spreading Omicron variant.

“Karine Jean-Pierre’s appointment is yet another example of hard work and determination paying off,” said Laurna Godwin, Vector Communications owner and president.

“It is disheartening that in 2022 she is the first. Nevertheless, it sends an important message to our youth that the sky is the limit, [and] nothing can hold back talent.”

The reduction of souls in the pews equated to a reduction in tithing and collections. Like many churches, Greater St. Mark’s turned to viral services. It just wasn’t the same, Pierson said.

“Preachers are like entertainers. We feed off the crowd. If you don’t have a crowd, you don’t have anything to feed off. So, I had to change my style a little bit. I had to adjust myself, but I didn’t change my message.”

Pierson didn’t allow politics to influence his “message.”

He rebuked religious leaders

Pat Washington, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis vice president of communications and special projects, served in a similar role in both St. Louis and St. Louis County government.

“For me, what immediately comes to mind is the awesome responsibility of managing the message and controlling the narrative, starting with who even gets called upon in the press room,” Washington said.

“For every Black woman who has never felt heard or has been told she’s too loud, too opinionated, too much, this is joy personified.”

who denied the severity of the pandemic or discouraged their followers from taking basic life-saving precautions. Some COVID-denying preachers like Bishop Gerald Glenn, of Virginia, Roger Dale Moon of South Carolina, Tim Parsons, a Lexington, Kentucky pastor and prominent Christian televangelist Marcus Lamb all died from Covid-19.

“Pastors have to preach truth to power and be truthful to ourselves,” Pierson stressed.

“God does not want us to be ignorant. The truth is medical science and vaccinations work

Washington also recognized “the obvious historic implications attached to Karin Jean Pierre’s appointment in terms of her being the first African-American woman and openly gay press secretary.”

Gail Holmes Taylor, Energizer brand manager, called the appointment “a big deal.”

Karine is making history, Black history, and my hope

The Rev. Tommie Pierson says his church’s attendance has dropped dramatically because of the ongoing pandemic.

and I’m not going against that.

“I don’t believe in the mysticals of the Bible. I don’t believe in a cloud nine experience, where you do what you want to do without dealing with reality. We have to deal with reality and govern our lives accordingly.”

Pierson referenced James 2:14 to emphasize how “Faith Without Works Is Dead.”

“God never told us to do nothing. He will protect you by guiding you to do the right thing by yourself,” Pierson elaborated. “He gave us minds to think and use it for some-

is that her light shines bright motivating and inspiring young Black and brown girls to keep growing for many generations to come,” said Taylor.

“She has tenure, she distinguished herself a long time ago during the Obama administration and I am confident in what she will deliver. A trifecta of inclusion and diversity that is being embodied, her recent accomplishments are helping to shape not only today but tomorrow.”

Shuntae Shields Ryan, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis marketing and communications vice president, called Jean-Pierre’s selection “another first and another win.”

“Not only for Black female communicators but African Americans in general.

Every African American in the public spotlight, especially the White House, gives Black girls and boys, as well as those yet choosing their careers, something to aspire to be and much needed inspiration in a world where we don’t hear enough positivity

thing other than foolishness. So, I’m going to go get the shot and I have faith that the shot will work.” Pierson said that both he and his wife contracted the virus last year. Both were vaccinated, he said and their symptoms “weren’t that bad.”

As a pro-vaccination preacher, Pierson’s church along with St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Catholic Church partnered with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to implement an ambitious goal of offering 1,000 vaccinations per day.

“We told people to ‘come get them,” Pierson said. “If you don’t want to get them from us, go someplace else but, for God’s sake, get vaccinated!” COVID, the pastor added, “is not going to just go away.”

“It’s a virus, like with the flu and we’re going to have to adjust and live with it.”

Now that the coronavirus isn’t hospitalizing or killing as many people, Pierson said his goal is to rebound and build.

“The upside of the pandemic is that we have the chance to reorganize our churches and correct some ills we had prior to the pandemic.

“It’s going to take a little while to get them (parishioners) back but that’s what we’re working on- rebuilding our congregation and getting back to normal.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

around Blacks,” she said. President Biden said in a statement, “Karine not only brings the experience, talent, and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people.”

Outgoing Press Secretary Jen Psaki described Jean-Pierre as “passionate.”

“She is smart, and she has a moral core that makes her not just a great colleague but an amazing mom and human. Plus, she has a great sense of humor,” Psaki tweeted.

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. said Jean-Pierre’s selection demonstrates that the BidenHarris administration has held up its promise of a diverse staff.

“This is another historic step forward by the Biden-Harris administration in fulfilling their promise of equity and equality in the White House,” Chavis said in a statement.

Photo courtesy of St. Louis Public Radio

part of the contribution is we don’t always start on a level playing field in terms of our health,” she said.

James said some of her patients have had difficult pregnancies or experienced complications during childbirth and have not recovered from their experience. That is why it is important for the nation to preserve access to legal abortions, particularly for Black women, who have high maternal mortality rates, she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are more than three times as likely to die while giving birth as white women.

Banning abortions also would cause catastrophic health impacts for Black women, who have long suffered from racism in the health care system, said Pamela Merritt, executive director of Medical Students for Choice, a reproductive health nonprofit.

“It doesn’t matter how educated we are, it doesn’t matter how affluent we are.

Everybody from my friends and cousins to Serena Williams is subject to the devastating health impacts of racism and racial health disparities,” Merritt said.

“So within that framework to take away a Black woman’s ability to make a determination about her ability to parent in that

Leaders

Continued from A1

from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

While their career paths are diverse, they have one thing in common. They are all high-performing, young African-American professionals who have achieved significant success in their respective fields, as well as working in service to the community.

“A critical element of sustainable progress and success is an inclusive community that values, respects and supports the next generation of young leaders – they are necessary to help build the St. Louis region,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation. “These young people, in particular, represent our fervent hope and aspirations for a better future for our community.

“We are excited that we will be able to honor

moment is criminal.” If the Supreme Court overturns the ruling, a law signed by Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson in 2019 will immediately ban abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy.

Merritt said losing access to abortions in Missouri would be devastating to the St. Louis area because many Black women live in places where contraception is not easily accessible.

“It’s a huge challenge, and some people have access but don’t have transportation to get it, other people are struggling to be able to afford it,” Merritt said. “But when push comes to shove, people need to be able to access the care that makes the most sense for them and so even in a perfect world where everybody has access to contraception, people will still need abortions.”

Merritt is worried that if abortions become illegal in Missouri, Black women who are unable to access abortions in other states where it is legal will seek unlawful abortions and could be prosecuted.

“Women of color in general are far more likely to be surveilled … and so what Black women are facing is the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes,” Merritt said. “And we know from the criminalization of all things, that when something is criminalized Black people tend to be subjected to the enforcement of that law far more than other populations.”

these individuals in-person this year. It is our plan to also make this a unique and enjoyable opportunity for young people to meet and greet some other accomplished young people as well as some present and future mentors,” Suggs said. The 2022 Class of Young Leaders, in alphabetical order, are:

Marquita Chapman Program Manager National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

Tiffany Lacy Clark Chief Operating Officer

Behavioral Health Response

Geoffrey Dudley Workforce Development Specialist

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Shelley Edwards Manager, CRM Engagement & Activation

Ascension Brad Edwards Community Organizer, Co-Founder Dear Fathers Gabrielle Fields Interim Executive Director

Building Futures

Dart Ford

Asst. VP, Community

Development

Enterprise Bank & Trust

Dr. Aretha Hardwick

Director of Academic Success

Maryville University

Kristen Harris

Asst. Director of Marketing & Communications

Harris-Stowe State University

Ono Oghre-Ikanone

Supply Quality Engineer

World Wide Technology

Zasmine Johnson

Program Manager

Clark-Fox Family Foundation

Jeffrey Jones

Lead CRA Banker, Asst.

Branch Manager

Royal Banks of Missouri

Branyea Jones

Training and Development Manager

Clayco

Angela Lewis US Research Operations Manager

Cigna

Latanya Mackey

Clinical Site Supervisor Provident Counseling

Christina McCauley

Sr. Implementation Project Manager

United Health Group

Christopher C. Miller

Campus Operations Director Claim Academy

Tamyka Gilliam-Perine

Executive Director Cultural Leadership, and Prestige Consultants, LLC

Jonathan Plump Audit Supervisor Midwest BankCentre

Christopher Randall

Community

Director,

A crowd of pro-choice advocates gathered around a speaker at Abortion Speak Out in St. Louis on Tuesday, May 2, 2022.

Photo courtesy of The AP

More than abortion rights on the line

About a month ago, all eyes were on the U.S. Supreme Court as Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the first African American woman justice to serve on the bench. Jackson was raked over the coals in a racist and patriarchal public spectacle.

The draft opinion of Justice Samuel Alito to overturn Roe v. Wade was anonymously leaked. This unprecedented breach of decorum has exposed more than employee betrayal.

The highest court in the land has not been setting a good example for lower courts. Instead of standing on the principles of judicial fairness and constitutional protection, the court has fallen into the swamp of bias, political partisanship, and abuse of power.

Last year, a Gallop poll reported that the public has its own opinion of the nation’s top opinion-makers. The court’s approval rating had dipped to 40%. The public sees the justices as interested in upholding a political party’s ideological views rather than being objective legal thinkers who uphold the most just parts of law. Those that will best serve a democracy.

The public is not just disgusted with the courts. This disdain extends to other branches of government. Our distrust and contempt are justified because of the regressive and reckless manner that government has operated in contemporary times. There are few “checks and balances”

between the executive, judicial and legislative branches. This also includes law enforcement, right down to the street cop. It is a slippery and prickly slope. Decorum has been replaced by a depth of corruption in the executive and legislative branches. We have seen elected and appointed officials carted off to jail for offenses including bribery, rape, and embezzlement.

The 45th president did his fair share to drag all the branches into his swamp. That’s just the criminal stuff. There’s a ton more illegal and immoral acts that we witness daily. So much so, some of the negative behavior has been normalized. A wave of anti-government sentiment and actions are building momentum. Many people now feel the government doesn’t represent them. There’s truth to that. Be clear, sectors of our society are protesting different aspects of government for way, way different reasons.

The folks who stormed the capital don’t believe this government represents them. Others also believe this government doesn’t represent us. We stay in protest mode, mostly protesting within the confines of law.

Now, we’re fighting against Republicans who are doing their best to criminalize what used to be legal protests.

People are also fighting for issues the majority has made clear that they support because they are important to them, their families, and their community. This includes Medicaid expansion.

Yet, the ruling party in red states is doing its best to reject it. Why? Because they can.

I think the leak of Justice Alito’s opinion to overturn a constitutional right that has been in place for almost 50 years was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” for a court staffer, or several. They no longer had confidence that the court was going to do the right thing.

Abortion rights, voting rights, and gun rights have long been important issues in this country. But they don’t bring forth the same level of emotion for everyone. And there are other equally important issues that will shape the future of this country.

There’s no predictability as to any outcome given this hostile political climate.

This country’s so-called leaders seem to focus on the wrong things instead of keeping an eye on the prize. The high court will spend weeks trying to find the source of the leak, while it should be discussing the motivation behind the leak. A genuine effort to do so could move us away from the authoritarian tendencies that are strangling our democracy.

Columnist Jamala Rogers

Rogue jurors should be accountable for their action

Last week, seven grand jurors from the indictment of investigator William Tisaby wrote an unprecedented letter to St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison, requesting that the Missouri attorney disciplinary panel take “stronger” action against St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner

To understand how fully outof-line these grand jurors were, let’s start with examining the grand jury system and how it was designed to work.

A grand jury is convened when a prosecuting attorney

either does not have enough evidence to criminally charge a defendant and wants a group of the defendant’s peers to review that evidence, or - as we see more often than not in St. Louis - a prosecuting attorney wants to avoid a politically-harmful charging decision. Grand juries recently have been called for the Cure Violence interrupter accused by federal prosecutors of destroying evidence; two men accused of planning and committing a 2016 murder (a controversial case for which Gardner’s office has sought both the death penalty and spe-

Weeden

cial prosecutors); and the man connected to two MetroBus shootings in December.

Part of an elected prosecutor’s job is to make challenging decisions on who to criminally charge - and when. But oftentimes, we see prosecuting attorneys abuse and take advantage of the system which, in turn, allows them to evade accountability and transparency.

Prior to beginning their six-month service, all grand jurors in Missouri must swear an oath, including “the counsel of your state, your fellows and your own, you shall truly keep secret,” and “you will present no one for any hatred, malice or ill will.” This oath of secrecy has been taken very seriously in Missouri courts, historically speaking.

Remember the grand juror from the panel investigating former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, the man who shot and killed 18-year old Michael Brown? Former St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch first made the controversial decision to convene a grand jury - rather than outright charge Wilson with murder - but it was McCulloch’s own behavior during those proceedings that led one grand juror to speak up.

As part of a lawsuit filed on behalf of the grand juror, the ACLU of Missouri argued that “[t]he racial injustices uncovered after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown permeate multiple levels of government, and we need transparency, accountability, and reforms for effective change.” While the grand juror in Darren Wilson’s proceedings was blocked by a federal judge from breaking that oath of secrecy, what became clearer in the aftermath

Councilman Terry Wilson, picks up momentum and votes, Days has been left scrambling for allies and support.

Fortunately for her, Republican County Council Lame Duck Tim Fitch and St. Louis City Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed (a three-time losing St. Louis mayoral candidate) are hosting a fundraiser for Days - in the City, where no one can vote for her - in a few weeks. Maybe she can scrounge up support there, as she steadily loses support in the 1st.

of Wilson’s investigation was McCulloch’s lack of good faith in prosecuting the former cop. McCulloch specifically was accused of tanking the proceedings, allowing witnesses to lie on the stand, and failing to cross-examine the witnesses whose stories aligned with Wilson’s version of events. St. Louis County Circuit Judge Joseph Walsh refused to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate McCulloch’s conduct.

But perhaps what makes the Tisaby grand jurors’ letter even more shocking is that they heard evidence against Tisaby - not Gardner - and they attempted to speak out on a case and potential defendant, lacking any authority to do so. The St. Louis City Circuit Court acted appropriately by declining to forward the grand jurors’ letter to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, but the fact that the Tisaby grand jurors felt entitled to break Missouri law to send correspondence to a judge about

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a case for which they heard no evidence indicates much larger problems within the Show Me State’s legal system.

At least Gardner had the guts to charge disgraced former governor Eric Greitens directly, which led to the Tisaby inquiry, rather than use and abuse the grand jury system.

Meanwhile, County Executive candidate and Steve Stenger lackey Jane Dueker has received tens of thousands of donations from her ex-boss’s donors since our last column, including a $30,000 donation from Commercial Development Company, Inc., and a $22,400 donation from August Busch III, brother of U.S. Senate Candidate Trudy Busch Valentine. Of note, Dueker’s own brother, John Eilermann, donated a similar amount to incumbent County Executive Sam Page just a few weeks ago. Remind us - with the same donors and supporters, how exactly is Dueker different from Stenger? None of Dueker’s contributions come from the community, perhaps reflecting the overall support that she has from voters.

In other County Council races, Council Chairwoman Rita Heard Days is starting to feel the consequences of her inexplicable delay of the Convention Center bond vote, costing the region tens of millions of dollars in lost tourism revenue and creating financial instability for potential bidders on the muchneeded long-delayed expansion and upgrades. As her 1st District challenger, Jennings

Finally, Congresswoman Cori Bush, D - MO-01, has received some unjustifiable criticism for drawing from her own life experiences of being unhoused and uninsured - inspiration that prompted her to push for a whopping $9.2 million in federal earmarked spending in St. Louis. Projects to be funded include a new community health center in Ferguson, a wellness campus in The Ville, mobile hospital units to serve the region’s unhoused communities, an entrepreneurship center at Harris-Stowe State University, and additional funding for gun violence prevention programs, among other projects. While we don’t see any credible basis to criticize Bush’s massive victory for St. Louis, it’s worth noting that the loudest complaints about Bush’s leadership come from supporters of her political opponent, Steve Roberts Jr., who is still reeling after failing to secure a new favorable, gerrymandered congressional map for the August primary.

On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R - MO-02, brought no federal funding to her district, which covers western and southern St. Louis County. Sen. Josh Hawley and Reps. Jason Smith and Vicky Hartzler, all Republicans, also failed their constituents by refusing to request federal funding for Missouri projects. However, Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, in his final year of office, secured the sixth-largest share of earmarks nationwide: $313.3 million to go to projects like UMSL’s nursing school expansion, maintenance and upgrades to the Chesterfield levees, and several major bridge and infrastructure projects throughout the state.

St. Louis American staff

The St. Louis Fed will host a Minority Networking event and job fair, both virtually and in person, next week as the organization looks to fill several positions and inform interested attendees about career opportunities.

The in-person and virtual recruiting event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 17 and will feature information about the St. Louis Fed, including job openings; career paths; the organization’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion; community development and internal employee networks.

On-site guests will visit informational tables and enjoy light refreshments. Both online and in-person attendees will watch a short presentation about working at the St. Louis Fed before breaking into networking groups to explore topics in more depth.

Those wishing to attend in person at the St. Louis Fed, at Locust Street and Broadway in downtown St. Louis, must register by Thursday, May 12 on the Events section of stlouisfed. org. Virtual attendees must register at the same link through May 16. All visitors eligible to be vaccinated against COVID19 are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations to visit the St. Louis Fed in person. View the “visiting the St. Louis Fed” page online for more details.

About 1,200 people work in St. Louis for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The organization has been recognized multiple times as a top workplace and for its inclusive culture. More information about the St. Louis Fed’s culture of diversity and inclusion is available on the Career Central webpage.

University of Missouri–St. Louis Serious Education. Serious value.SM

Rex Burlison Joseph Walsh

“Taking Care of You”

Bush garners resources to help ‘Health Care Heroes’ serve communities

Reducing health care gap is goal

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

Compassion, dedication, and dollars are needed to stitch the physical and mental wounds caused by the health care gap in underserved communities.

Congresswoman Cori Bush [D, St. Louis] hit the “Health Care Heroes” trail on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, during a whirlwind tour to offer financial support for 10 recipients of 2022 Community Funding Projects. Affinia Healthcare received $2 million for construction of a new community health center in Ferguson, the largest of Bush’s approved projects. She said the center will be

n Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia executive vice president and CEO, said the investment “will ensure that women of color receive the quality health care, and prenatal care that they deserve.”

essential to bringing better health care outcomes to north St. Louis County. Bush said north St. Louis County communities have long needed doctors closer to

home.

“We just have a few [health centers] where people can go when they are uninsured or underinsured,” Bush said at Affinia Healthcare’s health center in Pagedale.

“Having that in every place is necessary, and it’s been a long time coming.”

Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia executive vice president and future CEO, said the investment “will ensure that women of color receive the quality health care, and prenatal care that they deserve.”

“Importantly, this can happen in their own

By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center

It’s likely no surprise to hear that whole grains are a key part of a healthy diet. They’re filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Studies have found that regularly eating whole grains can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And they may even help people live longer. But while the benefits of whole grains are clear, it can be hard for many of us to fit them into our meals.

On average in the U.S., we eat only about a third of the recommended amount of whole grains each day. This may be, in part, because it’s not always easy to know which grains and grain foods count as whole grains. So, what are whole grains exactly? They’re grains that include the three key parts of the natural grain kernel –bran, germ, and endosperm. This differs from refined grains, like white rice and white flour, which have the bran and germ removed during processing.

n Choose foods that have a whole grain as the first ingredient. The first ingredient in the list is the most common ingredient in the food.

Bran and germ are rich in many healthy nutrients and other compounds.

Luckily, most of us are already familiar with several wholegrain foods, such as 100% whole-wheat bread, bulgur, rolled oats, brown rice and whole-grain pasta. For other types of foods, the food label is a great guide. Choose foods that have a whole grain as the first ingredient. Look for words like “whole” and “whole-grain.” The first ingredient in the list is the most common ingredient in the food. So, if the label on your breakfast cereal starts with “whole-grain oats,” then whole-grain oats are the main ingredient. This isn’t a perfect system, though, because some foods can have whole grains as a first ingredient but also have a lot of added sugar. Sugary breakfast cereals can be a good exam-

‘I’m just so over it!’

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

The St. Louis American

“I’m just so over it!”

Kenyetta Tomlin, 40, said she’s fed up with COVID-19. Her grandparents, Eugene and Ernestine D. Garrett succumbed to the virus just as it reached the “pandemic” stage. The coronavirus continues to impact her life, personally and vocationally. Tomlin works as what is known in the medical community as an “environmental service” worker (ESW).

n “They talk a lot about doctors and nurses sometimes, but they never talk about those of us in the background…What about us?”

– Kenyetta Tomlin, an “environmental service” worker at BJC

For the past four years, Tomlin has been employed at BJC as an emergency room housekeeper. She’s a single mother with three girls (ages 7, 10 and 15) who worries about them contracting the virus from school. Tomlin is exhausted from the talk of death at her job and the deaths of loved ones who’ve passed away since early 2020.

“I’m just tired of death,” she said.

I’m tired of every time you turn around and people are saying, ‘we’re almost over the pandemic,’ and then it’s like, ‘oh, there’s a new strain in this or that country.’ Then there’s another strain. It’s like, ‘What? When will it end?”’ Tomlin’s feelings are associated with what researchers call “COVID fatigue.” According to a January 2022 WebMD poll, threefourths of respondents said they are experiencing symptoms of fatigue, defined as “being angry, exhausted, frustrated or just plain fed up with disruptions to their lives or those of your family and friends.”

Her COVID journey began in February 2020, when little was known about the pandemic. Her grandfather was an active 80-year-old, a deacon at his church who had his own landscaping business. Tomlin said it was odd when she visited her grand-

See COVID, A13

Kenyetta Tomlin, a BJC emergency room housekeeper, says the toll that COVID19 has taken on health care staff like her has been ignored.

Congresswoman Cori Bush and CARE STL Health Executive Director Angela Clabon listen to St. Louis Health Director Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis speak on the importance of CARE STL Health’s new headquarters being built where its most needed during ground-breaking ceremonies for the headquarters at Newstead and St. Louis Avenues Wednesday, May 4.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Dr. Graham A. Colditz

Photo courtesy of Kenyetta Tomlin

“Taking Care of You”

Bush

Continued from A12 to high quality primary health care for vulnerable individuals in our region,” he said.

Dr. Alan Freeman, Affinia president and CEO, said the new 15,000 square foot community health center will be adjacent to the Emerson YMCA at 3390 Pershall in Ferguson. “Affinia Healthcare is extremely grateful to Congresswoman Bush for her outstanding support, which will help further vital access

COVID

Continued from A12

parents to see Ernest “in his pajamas for days.” Eventually, Ernest went to St. Mary’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. No biggie, she thought. Her grandfather had the illness a year prior.

Then, about a week after Ernest was admitted, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a fast-spreading pandemic. He was tested for the virus. The results came back positive. By this time, Tomlin had learned enough from nurses at her job to know her grandmother should be tested, too. Before Ernest’s diagnosis, Ernestine was visiting her husband daily at the hospital. She began showing symptoms, was exhausted and had trouble breathing. Tomlin convinced her relatives to get Ernestine tested. Again, the results were “positive.” Ernestine was hospitalized as well. After nurses realized that “Mrs. Garrett,” was Mr. Garrett’s wife, they put them in the same hospital room.

Tomlin’s grandparents died

Colditz

Continued from A12

Yvonne Buhlinger, Affinia Healthcare Foundation executive vice president, said Bush’s support helps with the “endeavor to secure financial resources to support addressing unmet healthcare needs in our community.” Affinia serves about 44,000 people annually and more than 90% have incomes under 100% of the federal poverty level, which for a family of four is $27,750. Approximately 70% of

within six or seven minutes of each other, she said sadly.

The pandemic also created chaos for the death care industry. Funeral homes and cemeteries had to quickly adopt safety precautions to avoid the post-mortem spread of COVID19.

For Tomlin’s family, this meant waiting for clearance from the Health Department to enter her grandparents’ home to retrieve needed paperwork and clothes for the burials. It meant limited numbers of loved ones at the funeral home, and mostly outdoor services.

Her grandparent’s deaths occurred at a time of sheer pandemonium at Tomlin’s job.

“Things changed so quickly at work,” she said. “We went from being able to help visitors to nobody being in the hall but employees. Nobody could come into the hospital. They had to drop their loved ones off and just hope.

“The death rate was so high, and it seemed like doctors didn’t know what to do. People were put on ventilators. Some survived, some didn’t.”

By March 2020, hospital workers were panicked by shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, medical masks, respi-

patients served are Black, 11% are Hispanic/Latinx, and over 4,000 are un-housed.

Cori Bush’s other Health Care Heroes stops included: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she supported the BJH and St. Patrick Center partnership, “Hospital to Housing,” with $800,000. The project will provide housing to unhoused or housing insecure individuals who frequently seek shelter in hospital emergency departments.

St. Louis University, where she presented a

rators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons. Fellow environmental service workers and nurses openly talked about their fears of protecting themselves, patients getting infected or infecting others.

As a diabetic, Tomlin said she was extremely nervous, but her biggest concern was for her daughter’s health.

“I definitely didn’t want to take anything home to my kids because my 10-year-old has an immune deficiency,” she confessed.

$500,000 check for its Mobile Health Clinic. The mobile unit will serve parts of St. Louis where there is a lack of health care facilities, transportation to clinics, or the technology to utilize telehealth options.

CareSTL Health, where she provided a check for $1,000,000 toward construction of The Ville Wellness Campus (VWC). It will offer health services to improve mental health outcomes, substance use disorders, chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, and offer

that “this will blow over, too.”

But those who just got out of nursing school, she said, “were like “this is not what I signed up for!”

Several of her coworkers quit or took early retirement. This was not an option since she had just been on the job for two years and depended on it for benefits including health insurance.

n “I’m tired of every time you turn around people are saying, ‘we’re almost over the pandemic’ and then it’s like, “oh, there’s a new strand in this or that country…it’s like “What?”

– Kenyetta Tomlin, an “environmental service” worker at BJC

“I was always so nervous. I’d leave my shoes at work. I’d undress at the front door, put my clothes in a bag and quickly take my clothes to the basement and wash them.”

Kenyetta said she got some comfort from nurses who had been at the job for “30 or more years.” She said those who worked through the AIDS, Swine Flu, Ebola and/or Zika Virus epidemics assured her

dental and specialty services. The 46,000 square foot wellness campus will replace the health center’s facility on Whittier Street.

“We are doing the work to help close these disparity gaps, to help with equity in our communities,” Bush said.

“You have to do that starting with direct investment and another way to do that is to work with folks who do the work.”

Each U.S. Representative can request funding for Community Project initiatives in their district “with

In fact, Tolin had to have surgery in October 2020. Because of complications from the operation, she didn’t go back to work for eight months. She found solace because she was home with her daughters as they went through the challenges of virtual learning. Her 15-yearold was basically in charge as Kenyetta recuperated. While she healed, she anxiously waited for the pandemic to end. She remembers hearing optimistic predictions from home and expecting the worst to be over when she returned to work. It wasn’t.

“People were saying, ‘the cold weather or the hot weather is going to kill the virus,’” she recalled. “Shoot, apparently, COVID is gonna do whatever it wants to do.”

She also shared her feelings of frustration when many people and politicians prematurely declared the pandemic over at the end of 2020.

“I thought people were easing up way too soon,” she said.

“The bars and stores and different places were like ‘come, come, come…you don’t have to worry.’ When really they were just worried about losing money.”

Tonlin returned to work after a coronavirus surge. Many people had traveled and gathered for the holidays during the winter months of 2020–21. By this time much had been done to address the fears and concerns of doctors and nurses. Not as much attention, she said, was aimed at comforting environmental service workers like her.

demonstrated community support,” according to Bush’s office. Only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities were permitted to receive funding. Bush secured funding for all 10 of her submitted projects, totaling more than $9 million.

Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner made no requests on behalf of any constituent, organization, or local government in the 2nd Congressional District.

ple of this. So, it’s best to choose whole-grain foods that also have little or no added sugar. It’s also important not to let the color of a food be your only guide. Some dark breads, for example, can look like they’re made with a lot of whole grains, but may have only a small amount or none. Their darker color can come from ingredients, such as molasses, rather than wholewheat flour. If you’re used to eating mostly refined grains, adding more whole grains to your meals may take some getting

used to. Whole grains can taste great, but they do have a more complex flavor than refined grains. So, start slowly. This helps your taste buds adjust and helps you figure out the best ways to add whole grains to your routine. When making rice, begin by using half white rice and half brown rice. And do the same with white pasta and whole-

grain pasta – and any other grain foods you regularly eat. Try to build up to where at least half of all the grains you eat each day are whole grains. For most adults, that means about 3 to 4 ounces of whole grains daily. That’s around 3 to 4 slices of whole-grain bread or 1½ to 2 cups of cooked brown rice. Apart from some simple

choices, such as 100% wholewheat breads and whole-grain cereals, it can take a little extra time to learn how best to fold healthy whole-grain foods into your regular meals. But the benefits of choosing more whole grains are fully worth the effort. It’s your health. Take control.

Again, she was not alone with such feelings. A 2021 study published by in the American Journal of Infection reported that ESWs found themselves as having low social status in comparison to other workers, facing numerous barriers which include high work demands, “us vs. them” attitudes, work interruptions and a lack of communication with higher-ups about their concerns and grievances.

Tomlin’s “tired of death” comment wasn’t just COVIDrelated. Her older sister of two years passed last year from cardiac arrest days after a kidney transplant. She, her sister and mother, who died at the age 45, suffered from diabetes.

Oddly, the precariousness of life has given Kenyetta a sense of gratitude during the ongoing pandemic:

“I just thank God as soon as my eyes open in the morning. I have another chance and He’s allowed me to be here for my kids,” she stressed. “That’s all I ask: ‘please let me be here long enough for my kids to get grown.’”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is The St. Louis American’s inaugural Deaconess Fellow.

“Yeah, they talk a lot about doctors and nurses sometimes. But they never talk about those of us in the background whether it’s those sanitizing a room or the ones cleaning rooms after surgery. What about us?,” she pleaded.

Dr. Graham A. Colditz, associate director of prevention and control at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is an internationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and the creator of the free prevention tool YourDiseaseRisk.com communities,” she said.

Congresswoman Cori Bush and Affinia Health Executive Director Kendra Holmes hold a symbolic check for $2 million that will help the health agency to expand its services by building a community health center in Ferguson during Bush’s Heroes of Healthcare tour on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

PRESENT:

PRESENT:

Nutrition Challenge:

Nutrition Challenge:

When we’re lucky enough to have a chance to go out for dinner, there are a few ways to stay healthy with our food

Dining Out.

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids

those leftovers for lunch the next day!

are popcorn, wheatberries, brown rice and wild rice.

of fried.

Cocoa Puffers Cereal

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

INGREDIENTS:

GRAINS

What Is ASize?Serving

Fire Up The Grill!

Keep ‘em Whole!

The Smart Way!

Warm Up & Cool Down

Do This. Not That!

First Day of Spring!

Exercise Game

Evacuation Plan— Fire Safety

Tech-Neck

for several different reasons.

We each need at least 3 servings per day of whole grains. But what does that mean? How can we know what foods contain whole grains?

See if the restaurant will let you “share” a meal. Many meals are two, three or more times an actual serving size.

Many people enjoy the warmer weather by bringing out the BBQ grill. Grilled foods are a great way to eat healthier. Just remember these few tips.

> Ask the server how the different menu items are prepared. Fried, sautéed, and

Cola

> Watch the “extras” such as marinades, sugary sauces and butter.

> Try grilled veggies, instead

Look at the ingredients list of a package of food you are about to eat. If the word “whole” is used, then there is most likely a whole grain ingredient. A few items that don’t use the word whole

As soon as you’ve divided your plate into the right size servings, ask your server for a to-go box. Go ahead and box up what you don’t need to eat right away. You can enjoy

lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to.

In our “Super-Size” world, we can easily lose track of what an actual serving size means. When reading labels on a food or drink product, you can determine the nutrients, sodium, fiber, sugar and calories of a serving size. But be careful; just because it looks like one small bottle

Getting plenty of whole grains in your diet can improve your health and reduce your chance for some chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Visit wholegrainscouncil.com for more information.

Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Include fresh fruits for dessert and limit the amount of ice cream and other frozen treats.

> Avoid gravies, cheese sauces and other kinds of toppings that often just add fat and calories.

Melissa Douglass, MSW

Weekly Newspaper in Education Program

Coach Melody, Health and Wellness Expert (AADP)

Latoya Woods, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

> Remember to drink a lot of water while you’re out in the heat.

of soda — it may not be considered one serving size. For example, a 20-oz bottle contains 2.5 servings. So if the bottle states “110 calories per serving,” that means the entire bottle contains a total of 275 calories! Remember to watch those serving sizes and you’ll have better control over what you’re eating and drinking.

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

> Stick with water to drink. Not only will you save money, but you won’t be adding in extra calories from a sugarfilled drink.

Staying active outside and eating healthier will help you feel better all summer long.

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

Learning Standards: HPE 2,

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Learning Standards:

> What are other ways to stay healthy while dining out?

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

even simmered can all mean, “cooked in oil.” Instead, choose baked or grilled options.

As the weather warms up, one great way to get outside and stay active is to try gardening! As soon as the threat of frost has passed, ask your parents where you can start a small vegetable garden.

As spring approaches, warmer weather allows us all to get more outdoor exercise. Here are some ways to become a more active person.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Where do you work? I am a family nurse practitioner for BJC Medical Group.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse with St. Louis Public Schools.

Where do you work? I am the founder and distance counselor for Goal Driven Counseling, LLC.

Where do you work? I am a school nurse at Monroe Elementary School.

Where do you work? I am the CEO of Unwrap You with Coach Melody, LLC.

Secondly, when you are finished with any kind of strenuous (very active) exercise, take some time to cool down. You can slowly stretch your arms and

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

your garden. You might also want to explore ways to protect your plants from local pesky animals that just might want to come by for a taste.

Instead of watching TV — ride your bike with friends.

legs again, and continue with reduced speed movements until your heart rate begins to slow down.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California. I earned a Bachelor in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing from SIU, Edwardsville. I then went back to further my education at Integrative Nutrition and now a Certified Health Practitioner

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer North High School. I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Meramec College in Kirkwood and completing my bachelor’s degree at Webster University in Webster Groves.

March 20, 2021, is the first day of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and longer days (later sunset). Make it a habit to spend as much time playing outside as the weather allows.

You’ll only need a small area of dirt. Look for a spot that gets several hours of sun a day. Working with an adult, you can begin digging up the area.

It’s important that before you embark on any kind of exercise to remember two things: warm up and cool down. Start with some slow stretches and movement (like walking) to increase your heart rate a little. Warm up for a good five minutes before increasing your heart rate.

Instead of playing video games — play baseball, football, badminton, or some other active game.

The ground is usually pretty solid and hard after a long, cold winter and you can start “working” the soil to get it ready for

Instead of surfing the ‘Net — go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood.

Some fun outdoor games to play include tag, kickball, basketball, Frisbee, and bicycling. Choose activities that increase your heart rate

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice. Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

Let’s talk about what to do if you have a fire in your home.

> NEVER walk on a “frozen” pond, lake, river or any other body of water. Just because it looks frozen does not mean it is safe.

Break into small groups and define what it means to be a bully. Share your ideas with the class. Did you have the same things listed (as the other groups) that you would consider as bullying behavior? Now back in your groups, create a newspaper ad that includes at least two of the following:

It helps to have a plan!

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl. Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

and breathing. You want to have fun, but it’s also a great way to help keep your heart, lungs and body healthy.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, IL: same as former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. I then earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. I also completed two more years of supervision and exams to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

Digging, planting and weeding a garden is a great way to bend, stretch, work muscles and increase your heart rate. If all goes well, you will be enjoying your very own home-grown vegetables this summer!

Make a list of your favorite 10 activities to do outdoors. Compare your list with your classmates and create a chart to see what are the most popular.

Can you think of other ways to be more active? Going outside and staying active not only increases your heart rate and burns calories, but it also helps you build friendships!

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

This warm-up and recovery period is important for your heart health. It also helps to reduce the amount of muscle pulls and strains.

Learning Standards:

HPE1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Sumner High School. I then earned Associate Degree in Nursing from Forest Park College and a BS in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer High School. I then earned a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. And finally, I earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Maryville University.

What does a Health and Wellness Expert do? I implement mental and physical wellness programs for educational institutions, corporations, and executives. My mission is to assist individuals in the development of positive, effective, and sustainable health & wellness goals. My programs focus on a holistic approach such as mindset, nutrition, selfcare, and physical activity to name some.

What does a school nurse do? I love giving students medications, so they’re able to focus on learning. I clean and bandage wounds. I use medical equipment like a stethoscope, for example, to evaluate whether or not my asthmatics are breathing well. Moreover, I teach and promote healthy habits to my students.

What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do? I use technology to help teens and young adults explore their emotions, better understand their feelings, work through relationships, and address common challenges completely online through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Similar to a Facetime call, I support and guide my clients from the comfort of their home or private location where they are comfortable

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

> What to do if you see someone else bullied.

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

> It’s important that you have a family meeting to prepare for such an emergency. Decide ahead of time which doors/ windows would be the safest ways to escape from different parts of your home.

> Also, decide on a

“Meeting Spot” in your yard so that you all know when the whole family is safe.

What does a family nurse practitioner do? Each day I have office visits with patients to help treat new health conditions and/or manage established health conditions. I perform physical examinations on patients, order labs, read x-rays results, and more.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Cracker-wiches

> And remember — if you have a fire, call 911 from a neighbor’s home. Don’t stay in your house to make the call.

> What to do if YOU are the bully.

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

> If you are with someone that falls through the ice, first run (or call) for help. Do not try to go out onto the ice to help your friend. You can fall through the ice too.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5 Calculate

> How bullying hurts others.

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take into consideration many things such as athleticism (how athletic you are), your bone density and other factors. Discuss your BMI with your

> What to do if you are bullied.

doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

> Also — remember to look up! Icicles injure numerous people every year. If you see large icicles forming over your front steps, ask your parents to use a broom handle to knock them off to the side before they break loose from your gutters.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career to help improve the health of my community.

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries

> And once you are out, don’t go back in for any reason until you’re told by the fire fighters that it’s safe.

What does a school nurse do? I assess the concerns of students who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in their normal health. Nurses screen daily staff, students and visitors for safety. Monroe School is a pilot school for Covid-19 test sites in partnership with the city. Why did you choose this career? I love nursing because there are many opportunities in hospitals, schools, clinics and offices, insurance, legal and research. My passion is working in the schools with students, parents, staff and community partners.

Why did you choose this career? I am a St. Louis native, and was an asthmatic child who experienced frequent hospitalizations. Besides having the influence of nurses in my family, the local nurses who helped take care of me were my “angels” and always managed to nurse me back to health, thus sparking my interest.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I enjoy being a support to teens and young adults in a very challenging phase of life that can be overwhelming. I enjoy teaching them how to best take care of themselves so they can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career after witnessing the need for more education. My programs help decrease the health epidemic our communities and country are facing. People need to understand the full impact of how choices affect their overall health. Knowledge is power and a way to make long term differences with adults and youth.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

Look through the newspaper for examples of ad layouts and design. Discuss the words “compassion,” “empathy” and “sympathy.” How do they each play into your response to bullying at your school?

> What other ice hazards are there?

1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy when a child tells you, “I want to be a nurse.” And best of all, I love the smiles, hugs and “thank-yous”.

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

1 Ripe banana (sliced and frozen), Splash of vanilla (optional) 6 Ice cubes

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love that my job makes talking about mental health not as scary and even makes it kind of cool. I love that I get to build valuable relationships with so many people that trust me to be there for them. I love that no matter where my clients are, we can simply connect with a video call and I can not only support them through hard times, but lots of good times as well.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 4

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

> When walking on icecovered roadways or sidewalks, take baby steps. Walk carefully and slowly.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

Directions: Blend all ingredients until Smooth. Makes 2 yummy smoothies!

Directions: Spread peanut butter on four of the crackers and top with sliced strawberries. Drizzle with honey and top with the other crackers to make four cracker-wiches.

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? Many chronic health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure) are preventable, and early detection is key. Thus my favorite part of the job is partnering with patients to establish and manage a plan to help them each live a long and healthy life.

My childhood health challenges have given me sensitivity to children suffering with illness. After being given a new lease on life, I consider it an honor to be in a position to promote health to the children of my community, in whatever capacity I serve – in turn, being their “angel.”

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I love spreading wellness around the world. We set goals, they work through behavioral modifications, and ultimately create new habits. I especially enjoy hearing stories of transformation, “Coach Melody my doctor took me off medication.” My motto is “Always Invest In Your Health.”

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Yonniece Rose, Registered Nurse

Banana PB Smoothie Ingredients: 1/2 Cp Vanilla Greek yogurt, 3 Tbsp Natural peanut butter,

Deborah Edwards, School Nurse

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 8,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 618-910-9551.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Garner. These second grade students are enjoying challenging engineering activities in Rhonda Stovall's class at Gateway MST Elementary, in the Saint Louis Public Schools District.

The American Optometric Association (eye doctors) researched this topic and here is what they discovered: 3D movies, TV shows, and games are safe for children age 3 and above.

Reusable 3D glasses can contain harmful bacteria.

Use anti-bacterial wipes as a precaution.

Time spent playing handheld games that are held close to the face should be limited, with frequent breaks, to rest the eyes.

Although there was concern that 3D movies can trigger a

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will surprise your eyes by creating an optical illusion to see which arrow is longer.

Materials Needed:

Create

• Pipe Cleaners (2 different colors, same length)

• Scissors

Process:

q You will need two pipe cleaners that are the same length and color. These pipe cleaners will be the body of the arrows.

w Create the ends of your arrow by cutting in half two other pipe cleaners that are a different color.

e Wrap the end of one long pipe cleaner around the middle of one short pipe cleaner. Then bend the short one in half so it looks like an arrow. Do the same thing with the other end. The ends will point outward.

Answer these questions about movies.

z The cost of tickets for a play is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. 350 tickets were sold and $950 was collected. How many tickets of each type were sold? ______

x You are having a movie marathon. Each movie lasts an average of 110 minutes. You have rented 3 movies. How long will the movie marathon last?

DID YOU KNOW?

seizure, the AOA has discovered that there is only a risk for seizure if the person has photosensitive epilepsy or is taking certain medications.

3D glasses work by viewing a different image in each eye. Some people are unable to see 3D effects if they have a “stereo deficiency.” So, thanks to 3D technology, some people have been able to detect vision issues and get them corrected.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

an optical illusion!

r Then wrap the end of the other long pipe cleaner around a short pipe cleaner, but this time, turn the arrows inward.

t Move your pipe cleaners apart... Now you have an optical illusion! Even though the two long pipe cleaners are the same length, one of them should look shorter than the other.

Check out these optical illusions online: http://www. kidsmathgamesonline.com/pictures/ illusions.html.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results and draw conclusions.

c A movie theater sells tickets for $9.00 each. Senior citizens receive a discount of $3.00. One evening the theater sold 636 tickets and took in $4974 in revenue. How many tickets were sold to senior citizens? How many were sold to “moviegoers” who were not senior citizens? ______

v Aaron’s family is going to see a movie at 5:50 p.m. It is 11:20 a.m. right now. How long do they have to wait to see the movie? hours ______ minutes

b A movie that began at 6:15 p.m. ends at 8:05 p.m. How long did it last? ______ hours ______ minutes

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem. I can think critically. I can make text to world connections.

African-American Electrical Engineer & Entrepreneur Marc Hannah

Marc Hannah was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 13, 1956. He always enjoyed math and science in school. In high school, he sparked an interest in computer technology. He attended the Illinois Institute of Technology with a scholarship where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Hannah then went to Stanford University to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering.

In 1982, Hannah and six other people founded Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI). SGI computers are used to design airplanes and automobiles, as well as engineering, research, and military applications. However, a very popular use is creating special effects in television and movies.

Hannah helped created special effects in Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Aladdin, Forrest Gump, The Hunt for Red October, Beauty and the Beast, and Fields of Dreams. SGI computer graphics are also used in music videos, such as Michael Jackson’s video “Remember the Time.”

Hannah is currently chief technology officer for SongPro, which creates multimedia plug-ins for hand held video games and portable music devices. He is a director and co-founder of Strategic Urban Development Alliance (SUDA), which is an engineering, construction, real estate, and finance firm. Hannah also serves on the board of directors for Magic Edge, which creates technology used in amusement parks.

In addition to his 15 patents, Hannah was given many awards, including the Kilby Young Innovator Award, Black Engineer of the Year Technical Contribution Award, IIT Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award, NTA Professional Achievement Award, San Francisco Black Chamber of Commerce Front Runner Award, M.E.N.T.O.R. Network Technology Award, and M.O.B.E Influencers & Innovators Award. Hannah has also been featured in Ebony magazine, Electronics magazine, Forbes, and PC Magazine.

Hannah is quoted as saying, “My job is to look ahead two to three years and see what’s coming. To see what consumers want, what they will want, and then to figure out how we can deliver that—at what price.”

Learning Standards: I can read biographical information about a person who has made a contribution in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

MAP CORNER

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activity One — Technology in our Community: New technology continuously changes the way we do things. Use the newspaper to locate a picture of an invention that has affected or changed your life in some way. Write about how the invention has changed your life.

Activity Two — Mystery Story: Each student will cut out several pictures from the newspaper without reading the captions. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking, pick your mystery picture from the bag. That’s your stimulus for writing.

Create a graphic organizer for the 5Ws (who, what, where, when, why) and continue the writing process.

Learning Standards: I can locate information in a newspaper. I can write for a specific purpose and audience. I can make text to self and text to world connections.

The first 3D film for a paying audience was at Astor Theater, New York, on June 10, 1915.

The young lady by the tower is Deaven Harris. She made that tower and it is the tallest tower built during the challenge; it is 45 1/2 inches tall. Next to her is Kennedi

Photo by Rhonda Stovall.

Photo by Matthew Hickey courtesy of The HistoryMakers

Fast, accurate treatment for stroke is critical for preserving brain function and preventing death. BJC HealthCare has Certified Stroke Centers across the St. Louis region always ready to provide you with expert care. Know the signs of a stroke. Remember to BE FAST.

The challenge of interracial adoption:

“Is he with you?”

By Lea-Rachel Kosnik

“You should be a mother,” was what my own mother said to me the week before she died. I held her thin, weakened hand across the hospital bed and nodded. I was in my early twenties, and children seemed a far away possibility in an unlikely land that included marriage, mortgages, and other such responsibilities. But over the years my mother’s words stuck with me. More than a decade later I

found myself married, with a mortgage, and starting to think about adopting a child with my husband, Logan, through the foster system in St. Louis. We took the required courses, received our certification, and when the call came one day that a baby had been abandoned in the hospital and needed a home, we rushed to the NICU and found a tiny human asleep in a blanket. We stared at his pinched face and full head of hair, and immediately agreed to take him home with us.

Middle schoolers: Summer Academy is for you!

June 20 - July 15, Monday-Friday, 7:45 am -12 pm

In-person instruction at the University of Missouri–St. Louis North Campus

Application due by Friday, May 13, 2022

Students must be enrolled in grades 6 - 8 at a metropolitan area middle school, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. To apply, visit umsl.edu/precollegiate For

Adoption has been a journey, an usual one, because it is interracial (my son, Vincent, is Black, my husband and I are white). But how unusual is hard to say.

It is difficult to come up with recent, relevant statistics on interracial adoptions in the U.S.

One source (Statista Research) has composite statistics on the ethnicities of adopted children in recent years and from this we know that 17% of all adopted children were categorized as Black or African American. But the same agency does not report demographic information on the adoptive parents, so it is impossible to know how many of the total adoptions reported (of Black children or any others) are interracial.

Another study dating back to 2007 found that, at that time, over 40% of adopted children nationwide were of a different race, culture, or ethnicity than their adoptive parents. Though this seems high, note that only 2% of American households have actually adopted, so that even if 40% of those are intercultural, the final numbers still only constitute a small proportion of the overall U.S. population. That said, there is anecdotal evidence, from the proliferation of support groups and websites to be found on the topic, that interracial adoption may be increasing.

As the white mother of an adopted Black son, I can report that our familial experience feels uncommon, though not completely isolated. We do not get outright stares, as I’ve been told used to happen in earlier decades to families like ours, but we do often get double-takes, confusion, and profoundly ignorant questions, from all categories of people: young, old, women, men, white, Black, biracial.

Just a few weeks ago, for spring break, Logan, Vincent and I got on a plane to take our first vacation in more than two years. We were excited to travel somewhere warm and sunny and Vincent, now 12, boarded the plane and quickly claimed the middle seat of our row, in-between his father and

myself. When the mixed-race stewardess came down the aisle shutting the overhead bins and checking the floor for in-theway bags, she stopped abruptly at our row and with pointed finger asked, “Is he with you?” I was certain she wouldn’t have asked that question had we all been the same color. I replied that yes, we were together, and the stewardess moved on without another word. This was a small incident at the start of an otherwise lovely vacation, but the point is that what happened – this questioning of our belonging to each other, my Black son and his white parents – isn’t at all uncommon, and as Vincent gets older, he’s noticing it. In elementary school, Vincent was taunted with the epithet “orphan-boy” after his white parents picked him up from after-care and the other children there didn’t believe we could possibly be his parents. A few years later, I took Vincent to a pediatric dentist in Clayton but never made it past the receptionist. Before she would let us see the doctor, she insisted I prove that my son was my own – as if white women were stealing unaccompanied Black children around St. Louis and taking them for free dental care. More than once, with Vincent standing within earshot, I’ve been asked if I had any real children too. Such incidents have to be affecting my son. I have by now gotten the usual, “You’re not my mother!” that all adoptive parents get at some point in their lives when their children are upset and trying to win an argument. But Logan and I also sometimes hear, “You don’t know what it’s like to be Black!” usually said by my son in a desperate attempt to avoid bedtime. I tell him that he is right, I do not know what it is like to be Black, but that he still has to go to bed at a decent time on a school night. Every year on Mother’s Day I recognize the blessing that is my son, but my enormous gift was another mother’s outsized loss. When we talk with Vincent about his birth mother this Sunday, we will tell him that life can be inexplicably painful, but that by the grace of god there is also love in this world and that he, Vincent, had the great good fortune of being loved by multiple different mothers and fathers.

Lea-Rachel Kosnik holds a doctorate in economics from UCLA and since 2004 has been a professor of economics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of the Kosnik family

Lea-Rachel Kosnik and her husband Logan adopted their son Vincent, who was abandoned at a hospital when a baby. With her son present, Kosnik said she has been asked if she has any “real children” too.

Young St. Louis inventor hits bullseye

By Arselia Gales For The St. Louis American

When St. Louis native Akeem Shannon launched a Kickstarter campaign in April 2018, he had no idea how successful his company and invention, Flipstik, would become.

Flipstik – a cell phone accessory that allows the phone to stick to most objects – was created following a “happenstance phone call” Shannon had with his uncle, an electrical engineer at NASA. When the uncle told Shannon about a reusable adhesive that NASA developed in the 1970s, Shannon realized how effective the adhesive would be when attaching an object, such as a cellphone, to a wall.

n “Sometimes when you take those chances, they work out.”

– Inventor Akeem Shannon

ended up surpassing that goal, earning around $15,000 in presales.

“That’s how it all began,” he said.

Since then, he’s appeared on Shark Tank, received a $50,000 grant from Arch Grants and even received endorsements from the likes of P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg and Porsha Williams of “Real Housewives” fame.

PeoPle on the Move

Pamela Meanes named general counsel

Akeem Shannon’s Flipstik is now available at Target. His startup gained momentum after his “Shark Tank” appearance, and he says support from Arch Grants, a nonprofit organization that provides equity-free grants and pro bono support services to early-stage startups, was invaluable. See

work. So, with winning contests like Arch Grants, I have a big network of people I can talk to when I need help with manufacturing or getting in touch with retailers,” said Shannon, 29.

Arch Grants announced its 2020 cohort one week before Shannon’s Shark Tank episode aired in November 2020. Although he received two offers on the show and chose to work with Lori Greiner, the deal wasn’t closed ahead of the episode’s air date and Shannon was still operating out of his spare bedroom in Downtown St. Louis.

He was worried he wouldn’t have the proper resources to handle the influx of purchases once the episode aired. Arch Grants helped him find a warehouse and gave him access to the tools he needed to support his business.

He made a prototype out of double-sided tape and cardstock, sent it off to China and taught himself how to write a patent while working on getting the necessary trademarks. The result was a device that attaches to the back of a phone and, when the cover is flipped down, allows the phone to stick to a flat surface. The “synthetic setae” adhesive is based on the fibrous structure of gecko feet and can hold up to two pounds. Shannon said he just wanted proof that anyone would buy his product. His Kickstarter goal was $1,865, a reference to the year the 13th amendment outlawing slavery was passed. He

By Maya Pottinger Word In Black

Now, his product is available on Target.com and at more than 300 Target retail locations, including three in the St. Louis Metro area.

Shannon credits his success not only to his sheer persistence and his “Shark Tank” appearance but also to Arch Grants, a nonprofit organization that provides equity-free grants and pro bono support services to early-stage startups.

Flipstik was one of the 19 companies included in Arch Grants’ 2020 cohort, earning the company a $50,000 grant.

“One thing I never had in St. Louis was a net-

“It was because of their fast action that we were able to take advantage of that opportunity,” he said.

After Shannon’s episode aired, he received $100,000 in sales in 48 hours Before Shark Tank, Flipstik received $120,000 in sales over two years. Shannon wasn’t selling much product online, receiving most of his sales through kiosks and by wholesaling custom-designed Flipstiks.

“I didn’t have the connections I needed to grow the company at the rate it needed to grow,”

Black teachers are fed up, quitting in droves

CareSTL Health added Pamela Meanes as general counsel and chief compliance officer. In Meanes’ 27 years of practice, she has defended financial institutions; managed and negotiated over 200 complex land acquisitions; tried or second-chaired bench and jury trials to conclusion; and defended clients on matters related to

Bonner joins Missouri Botanical Garden

as director of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Martin Bonner is a native St. Louisan with extensive work in community engagement, education, law, and child advocacy. She brings more than 20 years of professional experience to the Garden, including 16 years with the law firm of Thompson Coburn in multiple roles including professional development and diversity manager. She most recently served as the executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at St. Louis Community College. Martin Bonner will report to Garden President Peter Wyse Jackson.

Dancy to serve on MU Extension Council

Christina L. Dancy was recently elected by St. Louis County residents, to serve as a member of the University of Missouri Extension Council for St. Louis County. As a member of the council, Dancy serves as a full partner with Missouri’s landgrant universities to deliver high-quality education and research-based information that helps people solve real-world problems and take advantage of opportunities. Dancy currently serves as a senior change management professional at Edward Jones.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

The Missouri Botanical Garden named Michelle Martin Bonner

Pamela Meanes

Michelle Martin Bonner

Dancy

Inventor

Continued from B1

Shannon said. His connections helped him secure the deal with Target. Shannon volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was asked to speak during one of the nonprofit’s job fairs in July 2021 where some Target executives were in attendance. Around the same time, his mentor, Daniel Lauer, founding executive director at UMSL Accelerate, connected him with Dan Bowling, CEO of Toy’n Around, a Target rep group, who set up a meeting with the lead Target buyer for phone accessories.

Shannon says those two things “coalesced” and he was able to make a pitch to a Target rep, who he says loved that he was making a product for the next generation. The fact that Flipstik allows users to create content from anywhere without lugging around a bulky tripod was a huge selling point. He then secured a deal to sell his product through Target, which launched on March 26 of this year. And Shannon’s success surely is no easy feat.

“It’s not easy for brands to

Teachers

Continued from B1

“There’s layers to what teachers were experiencing before the pandemic,” Seward says. “And now it’s just been magnified; it’s worse.”

Through her online community, Seward has seen teachers quitting throughout the school year, even posting that they are resigning a month before the end of the academic year.

“People are leaving left and right in the middle of the school year. I saw people post online three weeks ago that they left,” Seward says. “Now, if you leave that close to the end of the school year, you have exceeded your wit’s end.”

The State of Black teachers

In its 2021 State of the U.S. Teacher Survey, RAND Corporation researchers found that about half of Black teachers reported they were “likely” to leave their jobs by the end of the school year, which was higher than other races.

“Teachers need to be well, teachers need to be whole, teachers need to be healthy for themselves and for the students they teach,” says Elizabeth Steiner, a policy researcher at RAND and an author of the survey. “Everything that was going on during the pandemic, and is still going on, raised the issue to a more urgent level than perhaps it seemed to be before.”

As with so many aspects of life, Black adults serve multiple roles in schools — and not all of them are visible. Children of color are, widely, more academically successful when they have a Black principal, and that success continues down the ladder. Black students who learned from a Black teacher in elementary school are more likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college — 13% more likely if they had one Black teacher, and more than double that at 32% if they had at least two.

So a decline in Black teachers would really have far reach-

get onto the shelves of large retail chains,” said Joseph Tarnowski, VP of Content for ECRM, a company that curates category-specific meetings between retail buyers and brands.

Tarnowski says a company’s pitch must be developed with the buyer’s needs in mind and clearly demonstrate how the new item will help deliver incremental growth to the buyer’s category.

This is an aspect that

Shannon has truly honed in on.

“Flipstik is the only phone accessory made for creators. Our patented technology is the only one designed especially for creating content hands-free, by mounting your phone nearly anywhere. While stands and grips are nice conveniences, we believe the future is in the hands of casual creators,” he said.

In addition to Target and his company website, Flipstik is available on Amazon.com, with 17 designs. The product retails for $9.99 on Target’s website and is on display on five shelves in each store – a coup for a startup.

“It’s just been really, really exciting,” he said.

Since his Shark Tank episode aired 17 months ago, the company has seen almost

ing effects on students.

“The Black kids won’t have any representation except for the few of us who grin and bear it and take whatever comes their way,” Seward says. “By being silent, we’re not doing anything for the kids who are coming after us if we continue to work in these conditions, and we continue to essentially beg people to see us as human beings, to see us as professionals.”

Mental health matters

Overall, the RAND survey found a lot of job-related stress among teachers. The percentage of teachers who reported “frequent job-related stress and symptoms of depression” was much higher than the general adult population. And, the survey found, the main stressors were the mode of instructions and their health. Teachers described experiencing depressive symptoms and burnout.

“Taken together,” the report says, “these results suggest that job-related stress poses immediate and long-term threats to the teacher supply.”

With the challenges of transitioning to remote learning, then hybrid, then asynchronous, plus those who had to deal with childcare, there’s been a lot of stress on teachers both in their jobs and professional lives.

To help address and alleviate those problems, districts and school leaders need to find a way of understanding what teachers want to see in their jobs and what causes them stress, like interacting with parents, not having enough substitutes or the right curriculum.

“Trying to figure those things out and do what they can to address them could be really important,” Steiner says. “Do the things that help teachers focus on their core jobs, which is teaching.”

Not only has the pandemic taken a huge toll on our mental health, but it’s also highlighted the importance of having mental health resources. Yet public schools often don’t have a full staff of counselors, social workers, or mental health professionals. And, Seward points out, mental health doesn’t stop

$700,000 in sales, including more than $500,000 in the last two years. The company is now seeking to raise $1.2 million from investors. And it continues to see growth in other areas with the hiring of his sixth employee. He currently operates in a co-working space at Ballpark Village.

“The biggest thing that I tell anyone I talk to is that sometimes you just have to jump and take the risk,” he said. “Sometimes when you take those chances, they work out. Especially if you take a lot of them.”

Shannon says this is just the beginning. He’s just launched Flipstik 2.0, which is the version that’s available at Target. At the end of the year, Shannon is launching three new versions with additional features that he says are “pretty killer”. He’s also had 15 of his 19 patents approved.

“We see there’s an opportunity to grow into a really large company,” he said.

Arselia Gales is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She graduated magna cum laude from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

when school lets out at 3:30. On her current salary, she doesn’t make enough to pay for therapy.

“Who’s going to address our trauma? Who’s going to address our social emotional needs?” Seward says. “We’re supposed to be OK because we’re the adults.”

Though it’s easy to focus on the pandemic and its challenges — new instruction methods, increased worries about personal health — as the root of Black teachers leaving the industry, it was really the breaking point. On average, Black educators are paid less than their white colleagues — they’re the racial group least likely to earn more than $15 an hour — and have higher student loan debt. Plus, there’s the workplace culture with discrimination, hostility, and feelings of isolation, or being given more responsibilities as the representatives of their race. A Donors Choose survey found that more than 30% of Black teachers were tasked with disciplining students of color, teaching their school communities about racism, and serving as the liaison between the school and families of color.

“People really need to look at the K-12 system and how some of us are going to work and dealing with microaggressions. Some of us are going to work in dealing with systemic racism,” Seward says. “Black people shouldn’t have to fix that. That’s not our mess to fix.”

Dr. Federick Ingram secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, recalls the dignity of the position, where you ran into a teacher at the grocery store and a light clicked on to students that this was a person “who was out of some kind of spiritual nature.”

“We want that kind of respect back in the profession,” Ingram says. “Unfortunately, we’ve got to jump over political hurdles.”

The teacher shortage has been around for the better part of a decade, but it was exacerbated by the pandemic, Ingram says. And it stems from not having enough college graduates who are choosing teaching as a career. The numbers are “abysmally low,” Ingram says, so people can expect to see fewer Black teachers this upcoming school year.

“We simply don’t have enough people to go into our classrooms,” Ingram says. To help reverse this, Ingram says kids need to start being encouraged to join the profession in middle school, and young African American men and women need to be taught that teaching is still a noble profession.

Half of Black teachers graduate from HBCUs, Ingram says, so those schools need funding for their education programs. This, he thinks, will help boost the number of Black educators.

n “And why is it you only go at basketball players … you [are] completely mute when it comes to the Tom Bradys [and] the Aaron Rodgers of the world … You get where I’m going.”

– Jaimee Foxx suggesting that Stephen A. Smith is harsher on Black athletes than white ones

Sports

InSIdE SportS

By Earl Austin Jr.

Teams seek to take fast lane to track titles

The postseason track and field state series began last weekend with small school district competitions throughout Missouri.

St. Louis area athletes participated in the Class 1 meet at Hillsboro and Class 2 district competition at New Haven. The Principia blazed to a possible outstanding postseason run by winning eight events and qualifying for the sectional meet in 13. The Panthers are in Class 1 this season after moving down from Class 2.

Principia is led by outstanding junior sprinter Issam Asingna, who was the dominant individual performer at last year’s Class 2 state championships in Jefferson City. Asingna was a triple crown winner in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at last year’s state meet. He established himself as one of the top sprinters in the state, regardless of class. Last weekend, he easily won district titles in the 100 and 200 with winning times of 10.8 and 22.06 seconds, respectively. He has posted some of the area’s top times in the sprints this season heading into the district meet. The Panthers qualified all four of their relay teams for the sectional meet while distance runner Rex Heath was a double-winner in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.

Lutheran North, Whitfield times two The Lutheran North Crusaders and Whitfield Warriors put together excellent performances at the Class 2, District 2 meet at New Haven. Both boys’ teams had five district champions in individual events, along with several other sectional qualifiers. Lutheran North was very productive in the sprints as Jaylin Carson finished first in the 100 and Keith Bass took home first place in the 200. The Crusaders also won the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays and finished second in the 4x400. Julian Juszczyk was also a district champion in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Whitfield did much of its damage in the sprints and middle-distance events. Charles Bobo finished first in the 400-meter dash and Jackson Brungart won the 3,200-meter run. The Warriors also finished first in the 4x400- and 4x800-meter relays. The Warriors won the 4x400 in 3 minutes 28.76 seconds while the 4x800 relay team turned in a very impressive time of 7:58.93.

The Warriors also finished first and second in the pole vault with Jackson Courtney win-

ning the district title and David Goldstein taking home runner-up honors.

The girls’ teams from Lutheran North and Whitfield were just as productive as their male counterparts at last weekend’s Class 2, District 2 meet at New Haven. Lutheran North won district titles in five different events and qualified athletes in seven events for this weekend’s sectionals at Lutheran North.

Junior Taylor Carr was a double winner as she finished first in the 100 and 200. She also led the Crusaders to first-place finishes in the 4x100 and 4x200. Catharyn Ryden also took home a district championship as she won the high jump.

Whitfield won district championships in four events while qualifying athletes in seven events for the upcoming sectionals. Elinor Rose finished first in the 400, Hadley Wilkins won the 800 and Dalia Al-sagr finished first in the 3,200. The Warriors also finished first in the

4x400-meter relay.

More district meets on mark

With the athletes from the small schools advancing to sectional competition this weekend, the schools in Classes 3,4 and 5. Area athletes in Class 5 will be spread out in district meets at Poplar Bluff, Marquette, Parkway Central, Columbia Rock Bridge and Eureka. Class 4 district meets with St. Louis teams will be held at Cape Girardeau, Summit, Parkway Central and North Point while Class 3 athletes will be competing at Herculaneum and Wright City. The top four finishers in each district event will advance to sectional competition next Saturday.

IHSA Girls Sectionals on tap

events at the state finals later this month.

The postseason for girls’ track and field on the Illinois side gets underway this week with sectional competition around the state. Metro east teams will be participating in Class 3A sectional action at Danville. The meet will be held today, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Area Class 2A teams will be competing at Triad this afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m. The top qualifiers in each event will advance to next weekend’s IHSA State Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Jackson-Durrett takes over at UMKC I want to give a shout out to former Parkway West girls’ basketball standout Dionnah JacksonDurrett, who was recently named the head women’s coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jackson-Durrett was the St. Louis American Player of the Year in 2001 before embarking on a successful collegiate career at Oklahoma. She helped the Sooners reach the national championship game of the NCAA Tournament. Over the past 12 years, Jackson-Durrett has successfully moved up the coaching ranks with stops at Southeast Missouri State, George Mason, Mississippi State and, most recently, at Texas.

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Negro Leagues’ newfound popularity too late, yet comforting

Major League Baseball’s racism cost hundreds, if not thousands, of Black players a chance to make big-time money and earn national stardom. The Negro Leagues prospered as a result, yet recognition in many forms never reached most of the great players that took the field.

Seventy-five years after Jackie Robinson first played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, some Negro League players and the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City suddenly have official coins, a bank, a beer and bobbleheads.

Alvin A. Reid

Better late than never, I guess. Being that this is St. Louis, let’s start with the beer. St. Louis-area based brewery Main & Mill has officially released its new series of beers and cans inspired by the Negro Leagues. The brewer’s Facebook page has announced that Satchel Paige portraits are featured on the first four-can set with images created by artist Graig Kreindler. The release

celebrates the 50th anniversary of Paige’s Hall of Fame election and the cans capture Paige during his playing career with four Negro League teams between the 1920s and 40s. “The Negro Leagues Celebration Series is an ongoing bi-yearly series focused on the history of the league and its’ players. We are proud to be donating 20% of every can sold in support of the players’ families and the Negro Leagues Museum,” according to Main & Mill.

Paige’s wit and skill as a tremendous orator were shared brilliantly by the late Buck O’Neil in the Ken Burns’ documentary “Baseball.” I think Paige, the first former Negro Leagues player inducted into the Hall of Fame, would really enjoy the Satchel Paige Talking Baseball Bobblehead Series being released this weekend in Kansas City.

The Paige bobbleheads include audio clips of him and other Negro Leaguers discussing his career. The

bobbleheads were produced in conjunction with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and NegroLeaguesHistory.com.

Should you be in Kansas City this weekend, drop by the Oak & Steel Pub at 3 p.m. Sunday for the unveiling. The Main & Mill beer will be available too.

I rarely have positive things to say about retiring Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. He gets a

thumbs up, though, for joining with Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver [D, Kansas City] for legislation approving the U.S. Mint Negro Leagues Commemorative Coin series.

The coins, which come in a three-coin series, are available in $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins. Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar and $5 for each half dollar will go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

for educational programs and exhibits.

The designs include a Negro Leagues tour bus, a pitcher in mid-throw, and a portrait of player, manager, and executive Andrew “Rube” Foster along with his signature.

Coins need a bank, and the museum is partnering with First Business Bank in Kansas City to become the “Official Bank” of the mint series. It is developing a “comprehensive marketing strategy to encourage consumers to purchase the collectible coins,” according to a release.

I’ve shared this with you before; it is worth a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum the next time you are in Kansas City. Also note how the famed 12th Street and Vine area was transformed from “a bad part of town” to a flourishing retail and entertainment location.

The Reid Roundup No word yet if St. Louis will land an XFL team. The league is scheduled

Earl Austin Jr.

Principia track standout Issam Asingna hopes to ‘three-peat’ again in sprint

St. Louis-area based brewery Main & Mill has officially released its new series of beers and cans inspired by the Negro Leagues.

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Dr. H. Eric Clark receives SLUH’s highest honor

Dr. H. Eric Clark, Ed.D., president at Loyola Academy, Saint Louis University High School (SLUH) board member and former administrator, and a leader in Jesuit education nationally – was recognized on April 25, 2022 with the Backer Award. The highest honor granted by SLUH, the Backer Award recognizes extraordinary alumni who have fulfilled the Jesuit Catholic mission of the school by serving “above and beyond” in their communities, professions and their church.

Throughout his time at SLUH (1993-2008), Dr. Clark served as administrative coordinator for the Minority Action Plan, psychology teacher, student council moderator, coordinator of the work grant program, assistant principal for student welfare and discipline, summer school principal, dean of students and assistant principal for student affairs.

As a Jr. Bill, he was on the football and track teams (later playing football at Truman State University).

Eight St. Louis companies make Forbes ‘Best Employers for Diversity’ list

According to Forbes magazine, over the past two years, the focus on racial disparities has put a spotlight on several industries. The impact of Covid-19 on the lives and livelihoods of Black families has raised questions about healthcare equity. The economic fallout for Black workers and Black-owned businesses has once again illustrated the need for financial inclusion and access to capital. Meanwhile, remote learning has turned

attention to the disparities in resources and academic outcomes for students in underserved communities. It was against this backdrop that Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to compile its annual list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. To determine the ranking, Statista surveyed 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees and pinpointed the companies they identified as

most dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. Survey participants were asked to rate their organizations on criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation equality, as well as that of general diversity. Statista then asked respondents belonging to underrepresented groups to nominate organizations other than their own.

Here are the companies headquartered in the St. Louis

region that made the list:

• Edward Jones, No. 54

• Washington University, No. 117

• Special School District of St. Louis County, No. 237

• SSM Health, No. 252

• World Wide Technology, No. 309

• Enterprise Holdings, No. 366

• Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR), No. 388

• Cass Information Systems (Nasdaq: CASS), No. 449

Dr. H. Eric Clark, Ed.D. was recognized on April 25, 2022 with the

Schnucks recognized as a US Best

Managed Company

Schnuck Markets announced it has been selected as a 2022 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and the Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.

Applicants are evaluated and selected by a panel of external judges focused on assessing hallmarks of excellence in four key areas: strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture and governance/financial performance.

The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designers have revenues of at least $250 million. This year’s designees continued to propel their businesses forward by prioritizing purpose, investing in their workforces, and demonstrating their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Backer Award, the highest honor granted by SLUH.

Celebrating the soul of Shirley LeFlore

Legacy of late

St. Louis Poet Laureate honored through Rivers of Women Gala

By Kenya Vaughn

The St. Louis American

In her opening remarks before the show, Lyah Beth LeFlore-Ituen declared that the spirit of Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore was in the building at the Grandel Theatre for the Rivers of Women Fundraising Gala. As the ensemble of women performed the production for which the

Market Fresh!

Annie Malone Parade returns to downtown route

By Danielle Brown

The St. Louis American

Bye Bye virtual!

St. Louisans across the region can happily and graciously delight in response to the exciting news that the 112th Annie Malone May Day Parade is returning to its in-person format at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 15 on Market St. in downtown St. Louis. It was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a virtual ceremony was held last year.

This year’s theme is “The New Annie Malone: Making a Stronger and Larger Impact in the Community.” Annie Malone Children & Family Services

gala was named, it sincerely felt like it.

Two days before Mother’s Day, LeFlore-Ituen and her sisters Hope Lynne Price-Lindsay and Jacie Wynn Price called the region together to gather in their mother’s name for the inaugural gala for the Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation. The evening featured a performance of Rivers of Women, a compilation of poetry and songs LeFlore-Ituen wove together from her mother’s words. She was assisted by Alerica Anderson, who provided musical direction and composed the show’s original score. Nicole “Pinky” Thomas choreographed the production.

Friday night’s staging was the first time the acclaimed show had been performed since LeFlore, a renowned educator, writer, performer and poet – and the city’s first Black woman Poet Laureate – became an ancestor. She passed away on Mother’s Day in 2019. LeFlore-Ituen confessed that the experience was bittersweet, but

the sorrow gave way to celebration as LeFlore’s energy permeated the venue.

When Leah Stewart sang “Two Wings” from Suite 4 – The Healing portion of the production, to the right of the stage a woman a was compelled from her seat. She was so overwhelmed that her long hair swayed as she clapped and

See LeFlore, C4

CEO Keisha Lee said she is striving to diversify the agency’s programs.

“We’ve talked about figuring out how our kids can get connected with a trade school or creating our own [for students] after they graduate high school; to have a skill in something in life,” Lee said.

“We know everybody’s not going to go to

college. They can have a skill or a job when they graduate, resulting in fewer chances of them robbing, selling drugs, or doing whatever they need to buy Nike sneakers and keep up with the Joneses.”

See Malone, C10

Emerging artist

Angel Riley is one of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ emerging young artists making a name for herself through the organization’s mission to provide more opportunity and inclusion for all opera professionals.

Angel Riley emphasizes Black voices’ significance in opera world

By Danielle Brown The St.

Louis American

Many singers receive their early vocal training performing in church. Belleville, Illinois native Angel Riley started singing in church, but joining Belleville West High School’s choir is where she found her career path. There, she learned how to read and better understand music.

n “Be invested in performing new operas … I think it’s important to tell stories of our time and stories of our ancestors’ time.”

– Angel Riley

In Riley’s sophomore year at Belleville, Allison Felter, director of education and engagement for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) visited her school and exposed her to opera performance. Riley said Felter discussed Opera Theatre’s Bayer Fund Artists-In Training Program (AIT), a worldrenowned program that helps develop and strengthen aspiring singers in high school in the classroom and beyond. Riley thought it through. After much consideration, she auditioned for the program and was accepted. Her transition from singing within the genres of gospel, pop, and jazz to more classical music has been both a negative and positive experience for her. It’s been positive for her in the sense that she grew up learning music by ear, which she said made it easy to learn music. Her ability to know where the music is going and having that trained ear in gospel and jazz is something she said she uses to her advantage with opera.

On the flip side, when she started singing gospel at a young age, she didn’t have much knowledge of technicalities. That created challenges for her during opera training.

“I found it difficult to try and balance using my gospel voice, which is like a [chest] voice, whereas my operatic voice is more of a head

See Riley, C10

Photo courtesy of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

St. Louis American file photo / Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American Cheeraz Gorman reciting a poem with Pacia Anderson and Leah Stewart in the back ground during the performance of works by St. Louis poet Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore.

ROYAL VAGABONDS FOUNDATION, INC. and ROYAL VAGABONDS, INC. 11th Annual Leadership Awards Luncheon

Since 2012, the Royal Vagabonds Foundation and the Royal Vagabonds, Inc. host an annual Leadership Awards Luncheon to honor individuals and organizations that are leading the way in taking the non-profit, public and private sectors to greater heights, especially those who help to advance a diverse and inclusive environment.

During the recently held 2022 Leadership Awards Luncheon at the Renaissance St. Louis Air port Hotel, the Leadership Medallion was bestowed on Honorees as a symbol of their vision, commit ment and outstanding leadership.

Proceeds from the event provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors to “Help Students TurnTheir Educational Dreams Into Reality.”

Special Thanks to our Generous Major Sponsors.

Public Service Leadership Award.

Honoree Colonel Kenneth Gregory, St. Louis County Chief of Police, receives the Public Service Leadership Award.

Honoree Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Jr., Educator, receives the Leadership Award for Excellence in Education.

Honoree Alison Kindle Hogan, Founder and Board Chair at Rung for Women, receives the Leadership Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement.

Honoree Michael Woods, CoFounder at Dream Builders 4 Equity, receives the Leadership Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement.

Honoree Honorable Judge David Mason, Organizer of the Freedom Suits Memorial, receives the Leadership Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement.

Attorney Kenneth Goins, President at Mound City Bar Association, accepts the Leadership Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement on behalf of the MCBA.

Ronald Taylor, graduating senior at Kirkwood High School and Adelaide Robinson Nunnelly (not shown), graduating senior at Metro Academic & Classical High School, receives the Emerging Young Leader Award.

Honoree Attorney Paul Venker, Steering Committee Chair of the Freedom Suits Memorial, receives the Leadership Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement.

Gospel icon Bobby Jones fires up Grill to Glory movement

St. Louis American staff

Bobby Jones, international gospel artist and host of BET’s longest running show, “Bobby Jones Gospel,” joined with more than 75 clergy and faith community members to light the flame of the Urban league of Metropolitan St. Louis Grill to Glory faith-based initiative on May 5, 2022.

Grill to Glory is a community stabilization and public safety initiative designed to “center the church in the Urban League’s community building efforts,” Michael McMillan, Urban League president and CEO said during a luncheon at the organization’s regional headquarters at 1408 North Kingshighway.

“Grill to Glory is critical to our public safety and community engagement efforts. James Clark, public safety, and community response vice president, has done an excellent job of re-engaging the clergy and intentionally placing the church at the center of the work and as a result, we are growing this initiative at a fast pace and getting results.”

Beginning Saturday June 18, the “Every Church, Every Saturday” part of Grill to Glory launches and churches will

reach out to residents through neighborhood cookouts. Free hot dogs will be offered, and churches will support neighborhood families by making referrals to Urban League services including utility assistance, rent and mortgage assistance, and mental wellness services.

Jones, who fondly recalled living near Enright and N. Kingshighway during part of his childhood, said bringing communities together through family and church is a vital part of Grill to Glory. “I remember families. I remember how people treated each other,” Jones said. “This is why this effort is so important—we need to restore our communities. Restore our families and even our churches.”

Merdean Gales, who serves as executive co-host of Bobby Jones Gospel, and is a founding producer of Bobby Jones Gospel Ambassador, said the Grills to Glory initiative is “growing in its magnitude.”

The 2022 Grill to Glory goal is for 250 churches to participate. In its first season, 22 churches participated. The number grew to 65 churches the following year, and 112 churches throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County and East St.

Louis were active in 2021.

Also speaking during the event were Rev. Alfred Gainey, Grill to Glory president and pastor of Lily of the Valley Church; Pastor Zachery Lee, Mount Paran Church; Pastor Theodore Williams, Faith Church; and Dr. Nathaniel Griffin of Greater Rising Star.

Jones helped revolutionize gospel music during his 30 years in his ministry and recording career. He is a Tennessee State University graduate and earned a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

His television career began at WSM-TV in Nashville in 1976, would become known as “Mr.

Gospel” for helping take gospel music to mainstream airwaves.

For over 35 years, Jones’ BET stage has highlighted Gospel greats and helped launch many careers. Jones can also be heard on the Bobby Jones Gospel Radio Show and the Bobby Jones Gospel Countdown. He and his choirs have recorded over 15 albums and received numerous GRAMMY,

LeFlore

Continued from C1

sang along for the entire selection. Eying the woman from her reserved booth to the right of the stage caused many –including this reporter – to do a double take. Her silhouette was the spitting image of LeFlore. It was her daughter Jacie Price. Their resemblance is uncanny. Earlier in the show LeFloreItuen, who directed and produced Rivers of Women, made her way to the stage to perform “Put Cha Haints On Me.” She embodied her mother with the performance as she twirled her white broom skirt across the stage and delivered the rhymes with precision – and a delightful overload of sass.

“Sorcercize me if you must… work yo’ roots sho-nuf. ‘Cause I like the way you do my stuff.”

In addition to LeFloreItuen’s featured appearance, the ensemble for the 2022 production included Leah Stewart, Amber Alexandria Rose, Cheeraz Gormon, Pacia Elaine Anderson, Essence Cunningham-Peoples. The latest staging of Rivers of Women also included guest vocalists Adrianne Felton King and Angel Riley. Each woman handled their respective roles in Rivers of Women with the utmost care and conviction – understanding

the assignment of being a conduit for LeFlore generational ode to the Black experience through the eyes and heart of women.

The evening began with a commitment to ensure LeFlore’s cultural contributions and efforts to cultivate the next generation of artists. “She impacted so many lives beyond those who are here tonight,” said Dr. Beth Stroble, Chancellor of Webster University.

LeFlore was the first African American Assistant Dean of Students at Webster University, and the university is home to the Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore Scholarship. It was established for undergraduate students studying English Literature, Creative Writing or African American Studies.

Some of those students went on to grace the very stage where Rivers of Women was performed – including the late Jennifer Beavers-Wright. She was a core company member and later a member of the administrative staff for The St. Louis Black Repertory Company. The Black Rep called the Grandel Theatre home for many years.

Acclaimed stage, film and television star Jenifer Lewis has credited LeFlore with “saving her life” during her Webster days. “She said yes to students over and over again – and helped them see Webster not only as a place of access, but a

Poet Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore‘s daughter Lyah B LeFlore Ituen the producer/director of Rivers Of Women introduces her daughter Bella Ituen, sister Hope L. Price Lindsay a playwright and sister Jacie W. Price.

place of success,” Stroble said. “We are counting on people to say yes to students in the spirit of Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore.”

Based on the lengthy standing ovation, the people who experienced Rivers of Women, they don’t have any intention of saying no. The reception of the production’s latest iteration had “Shirley’s girls” filled with emotion. As all three took the stage to say farewell They delivered a heartfelt “thank you” to the audience for their attendance. Proceeds for the show benefited the foundation they helm in honor of their mother, a 5013c organization established to foster an interest in literature, music, theater and the fine arts by way of original programming through its Creative Arts and Expressions Lab.

“I hope you felt her soul,” LeFlore-Ituen said. “That was our intention – and through the foundation we are going to work to make sure that her words, work, life and legacy continue to inspire others.”

For additional information on the Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation, visit https://shirleybradleyleflorefoundation. org/

Details on the Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore Scholarship Fund can be found at https://webster.quadweb.site/ giving/shirley-bradley-priceleflore-scholarship-fund

Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American

OPENINGS FOR HOME HEALTH AIDES

Openings for Home Health Aides

Salary above minimum wage

Contact: Delores Glasby or Edward Glasby at 314-830-2800 or email at harrisbestcareinc@yahoo.com

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship- JR64741

Full-time custodian/ maintenance position with rotating weekends

Senior Citizen Apartment Complex

Experience preferred but not required

For an Application: Email; tammy@ alphaterraceapartments. com

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK

Basic Purpose: To ensure accurate processing and recording of all invoices. Primarily to post, print, file and process invoices using ACS Systems as presented.

Preferred Qualifications

· Teachable

· Ability to follow instructions

· Ability to communicate well with employees, customers, vendors, in person, on phone, and by written communications in a professional and timely manner

· Ability to plan, prioritize and organize effectively

· Possess attention to detail, ability to balance workload and have strong time management skills.For a more specific outline of duties

Contact: bettyrichardson@ westsidembc.org or call 314 535-9002 Ext 206

MEDICAL COST MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF CYBER UNDERWRITING

Responsible for underwriting and servicing Cyber Liability accounts for assigned territory.

Underwriting accountability includes new business production, renewal retention, account servicing and broker/ insured relationships that lead to underwriting profitability and revenue growth within the assigned territory.

To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

Work collaboratively and independently while self-directing their work processes to meet corporate objectives and goals related to the accurate and timely completion of premium audits. Will conduct audit processes for applicable large casualty/primary and excess accounts, substantiating the accuracy of policy classifications, exposure base, exposure inclusions/exclusions,information, status of subcontractors etc. Will also facilitate the order process for applicable accounts. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/careerspage/

COORDINATOR –ACCOUNT SERVICES – INSURANCE OPERATIONS

City Seniors is hiring class E drivers and hand delivered meal drivers. Candidates must pass extensive background screening. Must be able to work with the elderly. Call 314.352.0141 for more information.

Responsible for providing client/ customer support for the department’s Primary Guaranteed Cost operational functions. Performs a variety of tasks for our business and in the issuance of our insurance policies. Work performed adheres to established process procedures, guidelines and customer standards set by the organization. To apply, please visit: https://www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

How would you like to be a Medical Assistant, but don’t have time or the funds to go to school? We have a solution! Once you pass our entrance requirements and are hired through Washington University, you can complete our Apprenticeship program in just 12 weeks. Upon completing, and passing the credentialing exam, along with being a continued employee for 1 year, you will receive recognition as a Certified Medical Assistant. Class times will be during working hours (4 hours a week), and there will be no tuition costs to you.

Grants and Research Administration PositionsWashington University in St. Louis is seeking Grants and Research Administration professionals for all levels including Grants Assistant, Grants Specialist I and II, Senior Grants Specialist, Research Administrator. There are several positions available in various departments. Please apply to each individual position in which you are interested and qualified. Hiring managers have immediate access to your application for which you apply. To be considered, please apply through the Washington University career site at https://jobs.wustl.edu/

JR66540 Purchasing Supervisor – Cardiology

This position is responsible for the division’s purchases and contracts; negotiates purchases and contracts and acts as a liaison with vendors. Minimum Requirements include equivalent of Bachelor’s degree with sufficient previous experience as purchasing agent or equivalent, some course work in accounting, business management or business law with three to five years of experience as a buyer or purchasing agent or purchasing manager.

JR66490, Senior Program Manager - Pediatrics Central Administrative Office

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for managing and directing key administrative and payroll support functions for the Department of Pediatrics. The role will serve as the primary contact for a variety of Department wide payroll and administrative initiatives. This position is expected to work closely with management, especially on payroll projects and priorities. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience to equal nine years.

JR65981, Specialist, Release Health Information - Faculty Practice Plan

The Release Health Information Specialist is responsible for directing and coordinating the release of protected health information for the University; advocates for patient confidentiality and a patient’s right of access to protected health information; serves in a substitutive capacity for HIPAA Privacy Office functions. This position directs the release of protected health information in accordance with government regulations and University policies. Safeguards and protects our patient’s right to privacy and right to access protected health information. This position requires an Associate degree in Health Information Management or equivalent experience and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Candidates who are RHIT or RHIA qualified/eligible may also be considered.

JR65951, Director Business Operations - Faculty Practice Plan

The Director of Business Operations is responsible for managing and directing the financial affairs of all financial and system support activities within a department of moderate to large scope, including management of business office services and personnel. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. At least seven years’ experience in a

Responsible for assisting Claims Department personnel with medical bill-related issues. Assignments are complex requiring the exercise of strong knowledge, discretion, use of sound judgment, and initiative. To apply, please visit: https:// www.safetynational.com/ careers-page/

FOR FULLTIME POSITIONS

The City of Clayton is hiring for full-time positions. Apply at https://bit.ly/3pGDCgY EOE

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Millstone Weber, LLC is soliciting proposals for the removal and replacement of airfield concrete pavement, including demo, excavation, pavement markings, underdrains, electrical, asphalt and miscellaneous other work as indicated on the plans and specifications for the STL Lambert Reconstruction of Rnwy 12R-30L from Txwy R to Txwy G project. Please phone 636-688-8794, fax 636-949-3129 or email bob.stubbs@millstoneweber com, quotes to bids@millstoneweber. com by 12:00 PM CDT on 05/16/2022. Millstone Weber encourages qualified MBE/WBE subcontractors & vendors to bid this project. For Access to Plans and Specifications, please emailbids@millstoneweber.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:

SSD 107-22: Litzsinger School Upgrades at Litzsinger School

Project Manual and drawings will be available through County Blue Reprographics beginning on May 10, 2022

A $100.00 refundable deposit check made out to Special School District will be required for paper copies of plans, a $50.00 non-refundable fee will be required for electronic digital downloads. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 16 at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis, MO 63124

Bids are due at 2:00 pm on June 2, 2022 at Special School District Purchasing Department, 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131.

WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT

Is soliciting “Proposals with Qualifications” for Environmental Contracting Services for a building abatement project at the Webster Groves High School; Little Theater:

The Request for Proposal will be available on the District Website on Monday May 9th 2022 @ www. webster.k12.mo.us front page and can be accessed under RFP/RFQ at bottom of page. Responses to the RFP will be received by the WGSD Construction Project Manager on Thursday June 7th 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the WG Service Center 3232 South Brentwood Blvd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. The owner reserves the right to reject all proposals

PUBLIC AUCTION

The following people are in debt to Gateway Storage Mall of Belleville. The contents of their storage unit(s) will be sold at auction to compensate all or part of that debt.

Auction at the Belleville- Royal Heights location will be held online with www.storageauctions. com on May 30th, 2022 at 10:00 AM. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Royal Heights --Belleville: Antoine Mosby--G42.

Auction at the BellevilleMascoutah Avenue & Tower Plaza location will be held online with www.storageauctions.com on May 31st, 2022 at 10:00 AM. A cash deposit will be REQUIRED for all winning bids. Mascoutah Avenue & Tower Plaza -- Belleville: Carolyn Miner-- 41, Jerell Crumble--543, For all rules, regulations and bidding process, please contact www. storageauctions.com . All other questions, please call 618-2338995 or mail: 17 Royal Heights Center, Belleville, IL 62226.

SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Division is soliciting proposals for the FY2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Homeless Services, Round 2 for the following project types: Safe Haven, Rapid Rehousing, Supportive Services for Permanent Supportive Housing, and Mobile Shower Street Outreach.

Beginning May 6, 2022, RFP packets will be available via pick-up at:

Department of Human Services Homeless Services Division 1520 Market, Room 4065, St. Louis, MO 63103

Or at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement/

Professional Assistance offered for creating a responsive project narrative and/or budget for opportunity. See RFP for details.

Informational Bidder’s Conference Webinar will be held via Zoom on May 16, 2022, 10:30 am. Email Amy Bickford at BickfordA@stlouis-mo.gov to obtain Zoom Webinar link, by May 13, 2022.

Questions may be referred by email only and must be submitted on or before May 25, 2022, to Amy Bickford, Chief Program Manager, at BickfordA@stlouis-mo.gov

The RFPs closing date is 4:00 p.m., June 1, 2022.

To Advertise your Bid Notices, Proposals, Audits email Angelita Houston at ahouston@stlamerican.com

Invitation to Bid

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting proposals for the construction services required for the New Exterior Basketball Court and Pavilion Addition. Proposals must be emailed no later than 2:00 pm on Wednesday June 1, 2022, to Corey Freeman at freemanc@hssu.edu. Responses to the RFP will be opened and read at a virtual bid opening on Wednesday June 1, 2022, at 2:15 pm. The link to the virtual bid opening will be sent at the time of bid submission.

A pre-bid conference and walk-through will be held on Wednesday May 18, 2022, at 2:00 pm Please meet at the south parking lot to the Emerson Performance Center St. Louis, MO 63103. Masks will be optional/situational for entry into the facility and at the pre-bid conference and walk-through. Social Distancing recommended.

A copy of the Request for Proposals and Bidding Documents can be obtained by contacting Corey Freeman at email address: freemanc@hssu.edu, faxing: (314) 340-3322 or calling (314)-340-3325.

Should you need any further assistance, please email Ryan Wilson with NAVIGATE Building Solutions at ryan@navigatebuildingsolutions.com

The University reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive all informalities in proposals.

LETTING NO. 8745

NORTH JEFFERSON AVE / PARNELL CORRIDOR PROJECT FEDERAL PROJECT NO. CMAQ/ STP/BUILD-5617(602)

Electronic bids submitted through the Bid Express Online Portal will be received by the Board of Public Service until 1:45 PM, CT, on JUNE 14, 2022, then publicly opened and read. Proposals must be submitted electronically using “Bid Express Online Portal” at https://www.bidexpress.com/ businesses/20618/home. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held May 24, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

The pre-bid conference will be held in 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000, Boardroom #278, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies).

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

NON-RESIDENT NOTICE

Andrew Q. Carter, address unknown, a civil action was filed against you in the matter of M.A. Carter in the Circuit Court, Montgomery Co., TN, and you must respond by 30 days from the date of the last publication. This notice will run for 4 consecutive weeks. You are directed to respond in writing to the clerk and send a copy to 503 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37040. If you fail to defend this action within 30 days of the last publication, a judgment may be taken against you for the relief demanded.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Barrett Parkway Area Pavement Improvements, St. Louis County Project No. AR/ CR-1818 will be received electronically thru the County’s Vendor Self Service portal at https:// stlouiscountymovendors. munisselfservice.com/Vendors/ default.aspx, until 2:00 p.m. June 8, 2022

Plans and specifications will be available on May 9, 2022 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouiscountymo.gov) or by contacting Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies, 2731 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 678-0087.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

B i d s f

, Showers, and Tuck-pointing, P r o j e c

N

. T2133-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, June 2, 2022. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Upgrade L a t r i n e s , Showers, and Exterior Paving, F a r m i n g t o

Readiness Center, P

N

. T2136-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/9/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services is soliciting proposals for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded Direct Support to Care Workers Services and Aging Services categories.

Beginning April 29, 2022, RFP packets will be available via pick-up at:

Department of Human Services St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) 1520 Market, Room 4086, St. Louis, MO 63103 Or at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/procurement/

Informational Bidder’s Conference Webinar will be held via Zoom on May 10, 2022, 9:00am. Email Anneliese Stoever at StoeverA@stlouis-mo.gov to obtain Zoom webinar link, by May 9, 2022.

Questions may be referred by email only and must be submitted on or before May 8, 2022, to Anneliese Stoever, Director of SLAAA, at StoeverA@stlouis-mo.gov

The RFPs closing date is 4:00 p.m., May 24, 2022.

REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL

Employee Benefits Brokers and Consulting Services are hereby requested to submit proposals to provide services to the Housing Authority of St. Louis County. RFP packets will be available for download from the HASLC website beginning May 8, 2022. Proposals must be received by electronic submittal or at the Authority’s purchasing office no later than 3:00PM CST on June 06, 2022.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of First Publication: 5/12/22

City of St. Louis: Community Development Administration (CDA) 1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 St. Louis, Missouri 63103 314-657-3700 / 314-589-6000 (TTY)

On or after 5/27/22, the City of St. Louis (“the City”) will submit a request to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following funds, under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974, PL93-383, as amended, 42 U.S.C.-5301 et seq., to undertake the following Public Improvement, within the City:

Choice Neighborhoods: Elkay Building- Economic Empowerment Center

Purpose: The interior and exterior renovation of the existing public facility

Location: 1218-1224 N 15th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106

Estimated Cost: Total development cost of this project is approximately $9,000,000, with $2,500,000 of funding coming from St. Louis City’s CHOICE Neighborhood Implementation Grant Funds— Grant # MO7E527CNG116.

The activity proposed is categorically excluded subject to under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for these projects is can be found online by visiting https://www.onecpd.info/ environmental-review/environmental-review-records or on file at the City’s CDA, at the address listed above, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M, by contacting Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Program Manager II, at (314) 314-657-3803.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Rashonda Alexander, CDA, Program Manager II, at the address listed above. Comments and questions pertaining to these programs can also be directed to Justin Jackson, CDA, Executive Director, at the address listed above. All comments received by 5/20/22 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Visit https://www. onecpd.info/environmental-review/environmental-review-records to review HUD ERR.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Certifying Officer of the City of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones, in her capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use these program funds.

OBJECTION TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City; b) the City has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; or d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatis factory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58.76) and shall be addressed to Mr. Craig Dobson, PIH Director, HUD, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103 (314) 418-5230. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tishaura Jones, Mayor Certifying Officer

St. LouiS american Bids & Public Notices

SEALED BIDS

The City of Greendale, MO will accept sealed bids until Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 1:59 p.m. local time, at City Administrator’s Office, City Hall, 2210 Normandy Drive, Greendale, MO, 63121 for the concrete/ asphalt project of streets and sidewalks as outlined in the bid RFP. Bids will be publicly opened at Greendale City Hall Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 2:00 p.m. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from city website http://www. greendale-mo.us. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, delivered or sent by US Mail, before Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., and clearly marked on the outside as: “Bid No. 2022-1-CONCRETE/ASPHALT PROJECT”. Office hours 10 am to 4 pm M-F. Phone: 314-383-2577.

SEA LION SHADE SAIL PROJECT RFP 2022

The Saint Louis Zoo seeks bids from qualified firms to submit proposals for Sea Lion Shade Sail Project RFP 2022. Bid documents are available as of 5/11/2022 on the Saint Louis Zoo website: stlzoo.org/vendor REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

Financial Investment and Advisory Services

City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office www.stltreasurer.org/ request-for-proposals

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Color Art Construction is a general contractor seeking bids for Optometry Phase I at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Project includes demo, structural steel, wood/ plastic/composites, thermal/moisture protection, openings, finishes, specialties, shades, basic mechanical, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC, air distribution, temperature control, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security, and exterior. Details posted on Building Connected. Bids due Wednesday 5/18/2022 at 12:00pm. Email bids/questions: bidrequestsCAC@color-art.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TowerCo 2013, LLC proposes to construct a 145-foot stealth tower (with appurtenances) located at 1500 South Main Street, St. Charles MO 63301, Saint Charles County (N 38-45-51.83, W 90-29-34.04). No lighting – Not Lit. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) filing number is A1214701. We invite your comments pertaining to the effect of the proposed tower on historic properties. Please submit comments within 30 days to Amy Perrine c/o MartinEnviro at 3830 Crown Point Road Suite F, Jacksonville, FL 32257, aperrine@martinenviro.com, or call (904) 737-1034.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Requests for Quotes, Bids and Proposals are posted online for public download. Please navigate to www.msdprojectclear.org > Doing Business With Us > View Non-Capital Bids (commodities and services) or >Visit Planroom (capital construction bids) Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS, PUBLIC NOTICES PROPOSALS & SUMMARY AUDITS

LETTING #8744

SEALED BIDS

Bids for Replace HVAC, BAS, and Domestic Hot Water System, H i g g i n s v i l l e H a b i l i t a t i o n Center, Project No. M1909-01, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1 : 3 0 P M , 6/2/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered t o b i d . F o r specific project information, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/facilities

SEALED BIDS

City and Springfield Regions, Project Nos. IDIQMCA-2011 and IDIQMCA-2012, respectively, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 6/16/2022 via MissouriBUYS. Bidders must be registered to bid. For specific project information, go to: https://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

At St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 301 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, then publicly opened and read in room 325. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE policies). Mandatory prebid meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. via Zoom:

Meeting URL: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/j/86916851826? pwd=YXl3RVNzSjY2azlhb2lQMWRMMDNvQT09 [ cmtengr.zoom.us]

Meeting ID: 869 1685 1826

Passcode: 527909

Dial by your location US +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833

Find your local number: https://cmtengr.zoom.us/u/ kbK1BRFqu [cmtengr.zoom.us]

All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Virtual Plan Room).

CITY OF ST. LOUIS PUBLIC

The federal regulations governing the administration of the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) grants for local governments have strict guidelines relating to conflicts of interest.

Under the federal regulations, a conflict of interest exists if: 24 CFR 574.625 Conflict of interest. (a) In addition to the conflict of interest requirements in 2 CFR 200.317 (for recipients and subrecipients that are States) and 2 CFR 200.318 (for recipients and subrecipients that are not States), no person who is an employee, agent, consultant, officer, or elected or appointed official of the grantee or project sponsor and who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to assisted activities, or who is in a position to participate in a decision making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a financial interest or benefit from the activity, or have an interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement with respect thereto, or the proceeds thereunder, either for himself or herself or for those with whom he or she has family or business ties, during his or her tenure or for one year thereafter.

The regulations provide for an exception for persons who have a conflict of interest, or a potential conflict of interest, and who have applied for assistance under a program funded with HOPWA funds.

The exception request may be made to HUD only after a public disclosure of the nature of the conflict (24 CFR 574.625(b)(1)) and after an opinion of the City’s attorney that the interest for which the exception is sought would not violate State or local law (24 CFR 574.625(b)(2)).

PUBLIC NOTICE. In order to fulfill the requirements of Title 24 of the Federal Code of Regulations, Section 574.625(b)(1), the City of St. Louis makes the following public disclosure of the conflict:

The Grants Administration Division of the City of St. Louis Department of Health receives technical assistance training through programming offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assigned The Cloudburst Group to provide the aforementioned technical assistance. Technical assistance training involves training on the modernization of the HOPWA formula and provisions related to other HUD programs; updates on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA); HOPWA categories, eligibility, funded activities allowable and unallowable costs, waivers, COVID funding and flexibilities, program income, and collaborations with CDA and ESG; and a resource for reaching out to HOPWA program.

The Department of Health’s PSA Committee approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services under the City’s HOPWA program. The Cloudburst Group submitted a proposal in response to the Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services.

The Cloudburst Group does not provide any other services for the Department of Health, and is not contracted with the Department of Health. Further, it had no role in creating or drafting the Request for Proposals for Housing Needs Assessment services, has no role in the decision-making process, nor did it gain any inside information with regard to such activities in the provision of its services to the City. Still, the Department of Health recognizes that the pre-existing relationship between The Cloudburst Group and the Department of Health may lead to the perception of a conflict of interest in the awarding of the Housing Needs Assessment contract.

To the extent that the provision of the above-referenced funding, through awarding of the Housing Needs Assessment contract, to The Cloudburst Group would constitute a prohibited conflict of interest under HUD regulations, the City may apply for and is applying for an exception to this prohibition with respect to provision of the above-referenced funding.

and

North City, Very Nice, $115-$140/wk All Utilities Incl. Wi-fi & Cable Call

Elizabeth Keckly: A Gifted Modiste

By Cicely Hunter, Missouri Historical Society

Black modistes displayed their skill and brilliance as they wove and stitched together pieces of fabric to create beautiful ensembles. One such woman was Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hobbs Keckly (also spelled Keckley), whose skillful hands and ingenuity brought her into prominence as a dressmaker as recounted in her memoir, Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House.

Keckly was born enslaved in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, in February 1818. Her mother, Agnes (Aggy) Hobbs, had been impregnated by her enslaver, Colonel Armistead Burwell. Though Keckly was not biologically the daughter of Agnes’s husband, George Pleasant Hobbs, he considered himself her father and she was given his last name at birth.

Keckly worked as a domestic servant from a young age, learning how to sew alongside her mother. At age 4, she was responsible for the Burwells’ infant daughter. When she rocked the cradle too hard, causing the baby to fall out, Keckly was severely punished by Mrs. Burwell. She recalled in her memoir, “The blows were not administered with a light hand, I assure you, and doubtless the severity of the lashing has made me remember the incident so well. This was the first time I was punished in this cruel way, but not the last.”

George Hobbs was enslaved on a different plantation, and for much of Keckly’s childhood, she only saw him twice a year. Colonel Burwell later arranged for George to live with them, but their happiness was short-lived, as George was forced to move west with his enslaver. The family was given only two hours to say goodbye. Keckly described their anguish: “The announcement fell upon the little circle in that rude-log cabin like a thunderbolt. I can remember the scene as if it were but yesterday;—how my father cried out against the cruel separation; his last kiss; his wild straining of my mother to his bosom; the solemn prayer to Heaven; the tears and sobs— the fearful anguish of broken hearts. The last kiss, the last good-by; and he, my father, was gone, gone forever.”

Keckly was sexually assaulted by a white man for four years and gave birth to her only son, George Kirkland, at age 21. Her enslavers, Ann Burwell and Hugh Garland, moved Agnes, George, and Elizabeth to St. Louis in 1846, and Elizabeth was hired out as a seamstress and dressmaker to sustain the

Garlands’ income. She wrote, “With my needle I kept bread in the mouths of 17 persons for two years and five months.”

Keckly desired freedom and labored as a skilled seamstress to obtain it, gaining a reputation as the best dressmaker in St. Louis and working with prominent families. Her clients offered to loan her the money to purchase her and her son’s freedom, and in November 1855 she borrowed $1,200— about $35,000 today. For the next five years, she worked to repay them.

In 1860 she moved east— first to Baltimore and then Washington, DC. She was soon sewing dresses for the wives of Jefferson Davis and Stephen Douglas and other elite women. Her most notable client was First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Keckly was Mary’s confidante as well as modiste, and her memoir depicts the Lincolns’ grief at the death of their son Willie in 1862—a grief that was understood all too well by Keckly, as her son George had died fighting for the Union at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek near Springfield, Missouri, in

July 1861. Mary also named Keckly the presiding officer of the Contraband Relief Association of Washington, DC, in 1862 to “support self-emancipated refugees of slavery.”

After President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, publisher G. W. Carleton & Co. expressed interest in Keckly’s story, and Behind the Scenes came out in 1868. Keckly criticized G. W. Carleton for publishing restricted information about Mary Todd Lincoln and later sued the publisher for her share of the book’s profits.

In 1892, Keckly moved to Ohio to become the head of Wilberforce University’s sewing and domestic science arts department. After experiencing a stroke, she returned to Washington, DC, spending the rest of her life at the National Home for Destitute Colored Women and Children—an institution she had co-founded. In 1907, she passed away at age 89.

To learn more about Elizabeth Keckly, visit the Missouri History Museum’s Beyond the Ballot: St. Louis and Suffrage exhibit before it closes on June 5.

Elizabeth Keckly. Illustration by Rori! Photo courtesy of Missouri Historical Society

Lee said future success can come in many forms, and young people can find one that benefits them and their families.

“If they learn a skill like plumbing, or they become an electrician, they can fix grandmother [or] mom’s sink, so they don’t have to choose between buying food or getting the sink fixed,” Lee said.

“Or if they get a CNA [Certified Nursing Assistant] or Commercial Drivers License [CDL], they can provide for themselves and their families so that they don’t have to resort to drugs. We must put an end to the class-

room to prison pipeline.”

Terrence Allen, senior director of operations and programs, said Lee’s passion for the agency trickles down to all the staff.

“It makes us work harder, and be more dedicated to Annie Malone because of her leadership,” Allen said. “Our kids love it here, and they enjoy the services and programs we provide to them.”

Lee says many children are walking in a “zigzag pattern” versus a straight and narrow path. The key to straightening the journey is “understanding and relating to them.”

“My staff and I always go the extra mile for our children; even when they’re having a bad day, we still make sure their needs are met beyond what they expect,” Lee said.

The May Day Parade’s comeback after a two-year hiatus is expected to attract thousands of revelers and participants. Launched in 1910, it is the oldest, and second-largest African American parade in America. It is only topped in size by the annual Bud Billiken Back to School Parade in

Chicago.

BJ Holiday, “BJ, the DJ” on iHeartMedia’s 100.3 The Beat station, and Luther Burden III, the nation’s top ranked college football wide receiver recruit who will play at Missouri, are parade grand marshals.

“It’s that family feel. I love the parade,” Lee said. “You’ll see barbers, beauticians, Black Greek sorority and fraternity members, bands, drill teams, and more.”

“That’s family reunion weekend time,” Allen said. “Parade season, they get the biggest smile out of me.”

Annie Malone and First Student partnered to provide free rides from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for city residents, dropping them off at Union and Natural Bridge and picking them up at 23rd and Olive. SLATE is also giving away free bus passes that don’t expire until the end of the year.

“This is our parade. It’s a St. Louis holiday,” Lee said.

Nike is the parade’s Platinum Title Sponsor, donating $25,000. Midwest BankCentre is also a sponsor.

ists in the annual Centerstage concert.

Continued from C1

voice,” Riley said. “I think early in my career when I was sophomore in high school until I was a sophomore in undergrad I struggled with knowing how to navigate different registers of my voice. I think that has been a positive and negative in my career so far.”

Riley’s elevation with OTSTL has continued and now she’s a fellow in the organization’s Gerdine Young Artist Program (GYAs), which provides the resources and opportunities emerging artists need for establishing their professional careers. GYAs are presented in supporting roles, the stand-in for all mainstage production roles, and are spotlighted solo-

“My experience as a GYA has been amazing,” Riley said. “It’s been a little different with me so far because of COVID. My first session was specifically a lot of online training, lessons, and development courses. Last year, I had the great experience of playing the role of Mary in “Highway 1 U.S.A.” which is performed by American opera singer Nicole Cabell. I also did a Juneteenth concert. I’ve gained a lot of experience by being in the program. It’s also been great working with other opera singers and coaches from different companies.”

Riley, who is African American, said while there is some diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field there are still some gaps to be bridged.

“I think programs like AIT are important because it’s af-

fording people no matter what background they come from the opportunity to explore classical music and opera,” Riley said.

“It’s important for me to create programs and be a part of organizations which allow inner-city community students exposure to opera and classical music at a young age.”

Renowned Black women opera singers such as Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman, and Angela Brown are Riley’s biggest opera influences. Some have a Soprano vocal register like Riley.

Giving flowers to the greats is important, but Riley said it’s equally important for newer generation opera singers to take their craft seriously and have an open mind.

“Be invested in performing new operas,” she said, noting that while OTSL does perform staples, “they also make an ef-

fort and mission to perform new works as well.

“I think it’s important to tell stories of our time and stories of our ancestors’ time.”

This summer, Riley will take on the role of Papagena in “The Magic Flute,” a two-act work by Mozart trailing the narration of Tamino, a lost prince in a foreign land who finds himself in trouble with a massive monster. Riley said she is excited about the role and even calls it her “most fun role.” Riley will also perform in this year’s Juneteenth concert with OTSL.

Visit OTSL’s website for more information about AIT: https:// opera-stl.org/explore-learn/ bayer-fund-artists-in-trainingprogram/.

Learn more about GYA on OTSL’s website: https:// opera-stl.org/about-us/flagshipprograms/gya/.

St. Louis American file photo / Wiley Price

Job Opening • Job Training

Job Opening • Training

Job Opening • Job Training

Workforce Development

Social workers, counselors needed at Crisis Nursery

Special to The American

“When I make a connection with a child in need of love and attention, it fulfills my soul.”

– Robin

“My favorite part of working at the Crisis Nursery? I love all the kid hugs! When they run up to you when you come in. And every day, I feel like I am making a difference!”

– Myalita

“I have worked many places. I’ve been an in-home nanny, medical assistant, a sales rep, and I’ve even worked for a corporation. But I can confidently say: working at the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is one of the best places I’ve ever been. Not only is the work fulfilling, but the benefits for full-time employees are great!”

– Anna

Are you a kind and caring person who wants to make your community a better place?

Would you like a job where you can help children and families every day? Then, the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery may be the place for you!

Many social workers and counselors work at the Crisis Nursery, and they all love what they do. A degree is not required – we only ask that applicants are over 21 and have one year of paid childcare experience. Training in therapeutic, trauma-informed care is given to every Crisis Nursery employee, so they are prepared to help children and families going through tough times.

Families turn to the Crisis Nursery when facing a crisis - homelessness, domestic violence, illness, or overwhelming parental stress. Children stay at one of five nursery locations while their parents are given resources and referrals to work on “grown-up problems.”

While at the Crisis Nursery, children get three meals, three snacks, a medical exam, Art & Play Therapy, and lots of FUN. We know that many of our kids have to shoulder outsized responsibility, so at the nursery, they just get to be kids. Play-dough, dance parties, time on the playground, dress-up, coloring, painting, and more are part of the day at the Crisis

Nursery. Tiffany, who has worked at the Crisis Nursery for several years, says, “Working at the Crisis Nursery is so rewarding because you get to help those in need. But the friends and

support you have in this job are AMAZING. At one point, I had to leave the Nursery for reasons out of my control. But I missed it, and I got lucky and was able to come back.” She continued, “I cannot

express enough how supportive the Nursery is. The supervisors are so understanding, and the training was great! I’ve worked at the Nursery parttime during the day and, later, full-time overnight. It doesn’t

Families turn to the Crisis Nursery when facing a crisis - homelessness, domestic violence, illness, or overwhelming parental stress. Children stay at one of five nursery locations while their parents are given resources and referrals to work on “grown-up problems.”

matter what position you are in. You learn and grow every day with this job. I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

For more information about careers at the Crisis Nursery, go to CrisisNurseryKids.org.

Myths and facts about the home healthcare nursing industry

The last few years have put immense pressure on nurses to work longer, harder and with less staff. New research suggests that many nurses feel unseen, undervalued and unsupported, wondering if it’s worth it.

In a recent survey from National Nurses United, 68% of the nurses who responded said they have considered leaving their position.

“Unfortunately, many current nurses and those entering the field don’t explore careers in home healthcare,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim HealthCare Inc.

“Home health nurses care for patients one-on-one in their home, where care is personal and nurses are empowered to improve patient outcomes. Plus, they have the flexibility to make their own schedule and the autonomy to be the nurse they were trained to be. Many fall in love with nursing all over again once they discover how rewarding a career in home healthcare can be.”

As part of its “We See You. We Celebrate You” campaign commemorating National Nurses Week (May 6-12), Interim HealthCare is shedding light on the benefits of working as a nurse in the home healthcare industry, and dispelling some common myths about this career path.

Myth: Home healthcare means only working with seniors.

Fact: Home health nurses work with people of all ages, including newborns and children. They offer a wide variety of services, from specialized personal care for children with disabilities to management for those who are dependent on devices such as ventilators, bi-pap, c-pap, trachs and apnea

monitors.

Myth: Home healthcare only involves working with very sick people.

Fact: Home healthcare nursing services offer the full continuum of care and can include health assessments for blood pressure, glucose and postoperative recovery, wound care, IV management, medication administration and disease and treatment education.

Myth: Home healthcare is

just babysitting for adults.

Fact: Home health RNs give clients of all ages (and their families) a sense of independence. They take an individualized approach to ensure that clients feel empowered at home, regardless of age, health or disability.

Myth: Home health clients won’t like having a stranger in their home.

Fact: Home health workers and their clients can form strong bonds and feel like

family, often attending birthday parties, weddings, graduations and other major life events.

Myth: Home health means being siloed and working on one’s own.

Fact: Home health RNs have a whole support team behind them ensuring they have the tools and skills to provide the client with what they need. There is also a wide array of training courses offered by home health orga-

nizations to expand skills.

In addition to raising awareness about home healthcare careers this National Nurses Week, Interim HealthCare is also celebrating those in the field. Nurses and those exploring nursing can visit ihcnursesweek2022.com to explore careers, connect with other professionals, find messages of encouragement and enter for a chance to win prizes offering much-deserved “me time,” including a sum-

Home health workers and their clients can form strong bonds and feel like family, often attending birthday parties, weddings, graduations and other major life events.

mer escape.

“In spite of the many challenges healthcare professionals have faced over the last two years, nurses have remained strong,” says Sheets. “We believe that when a culture values, appreciates and advocates for nurses in a way that elevates their profession and rewards their work, such as in the home healthcare industry, nurses will not just get by, but thrive.”

(StatePoint)

Tips for job seekers preparing for interview questions

By Entrepreneur Deals

Job interviews can be intimidating but preparing for the distinct types of interview questions you may be asked can have a significant payoff. Your resume, career experience and cover letter can only take you so far — now it’s time to bring it home and prove why you’re the best person for the role.

Feeling prepared for an interview can give you confidence in your answers. It helps you anticipate the interview questions and allows the meeting to feel more like a conversation. Keep in mind your ability to communicate is evaluated in addition to your educational background and professional experience.

Every interview is different but following six tips can ensure you ace your next job interview.

1. Examine the job description. However, you found your employment opportunity, use (or obtain) the job description to figure out which of your skills you’d like to speak about during the job interview. If you see mentions of characteristics such as “attention to detail” or “team-oriented,” try to work those examples into your answers.

You’ll also want to be able to speak to why you’re interested in a particular position. Your interviewer will want to see how your skills or experience make you an excellent fit for a role, and they’ll need to see your genuine interest in the job, which starts by showing you did your research.

Create compelling talking points that apply

2. Research the company Understanding what the company does is often overlooked in job interviews. Research the company website and articles about the business to see how your background aligns with the role you’re interviewing for. By educating yourself on the products or services they offer, you can understand their business needs and how you would be a valuable asset to their pursuits.

3. Research the interviewer. Many hiring managers will provide a list of people you can expect to meet with. This could include employees of all levels and different departments. And they will all have different

interviews, and job seekers should be knowledgeable of the

types of interview questions. Just like personalizing a cover letter for various companies, you’ll want to see what you can learn about the people who will determine if you’re qualified for the position and a culture fit. A quick search on the internet could pull up their professional pages, portfolio, podcasts, books, interviews,

and published articles. This information can give you a good idea of who they are and what their values are — plus, it can present you with some great talking points.

4. Think about skills you can offer. Soft skills like leadership, communication, and an entrepreneurial mindset are in

high demand. Think about how your past experiences align with characteristics the company you’re interviewing with may be interested in. If you excel in a particular skill that didn’t come up in the interview, try to weave that into a question or the end of the conversation.

5. Rehearse your answers. Practice makes perfect. You can expect to be assessed on interview questions regarding qualifications, personality, behavioral situations, and industry knowledge. Do a quick internet search for common interview questions in your field to get an idea of what you may be asked so you can develop clear, concise responses.

6. Frame responses using STAR

Many interview experts recommend framing your responses using the “STAR Method,” especially for behavioral questions. This acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result and can be used to accurately communicate some of your best professional moments. You’ll want to describe the situation of an event, explain the task you had to complete, the specific action you took, and the result of your efforts. Just like a resume, be sure to quantify your results when possible, and you can even mention how a particular situation would apply to the role you’re interviewing for.

Entrepreneur Deals/ Entrepreneur.com provided this article

Many prospective employers are returning to in-person

company, and if possible, the interviewer.

WGU Missouri offers busy adults opportunity for career advancement

Provided by WGU

For those looking to be promoted at their current job or move into a higher-level position at another organization, having added skills and education can help them stand out against other internal or external candidates. Even after working in an industry or profession for years and gaining valuable experience, employees often need to go back to school and continue their education to earn a promotion. This could mean earning a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree to jump into a higher-paying position.

When considering colleges, it’s important to remember accredited, flexible and affordable options in higher education exist that are respected by employers and offer the degree programs and required skills needed by employees to advance their careers. Fully online, nonprofit university WGU Missouri offers a competency-based approach to learning that allows students to leverage previous education, training and work experience to earn their degrees quickly. Students complete their programs by studying and taking tests on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate they’ve mastered the subject matter.

The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high workforce-need areas of business, IT, education and health professions, including nursing. All programs are career-focused and equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. WGU also offers a one-year MBA program, allowing students to quickly earn a traditional MBA or MBA in

IT management or healthcare management. Although the program is accelerated, students get the same industry-focused coursework they need to advance their careers as they would if they were using a traditional education approach. WGU provides its students with affordable, flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 each six-month term for most undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Coupled with the competency-based model, this means students can take as many courses as possible each term without any added costs

and graduate at a faster pace.

Candidates that boost their resumes with a degree are essentially showing an organization they’re actively improving, bringing more skills and experience to the table and ensuring they are the right candidate to promote. As jobs become increasingly complex, so will the education required to fill them. For those looking for increased opportunities and stability in their careers, earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will give them the skills they need to advance. To learn more, visit Missouri.wgu.edu.

Kiara Bell

Cybersecurity jobs in high demand; thousands of open positions in St. Louis

By Sydney Stallworth KSDK 5 On Your Side

From meatpacking to oil pipelines, ransomware attacks targeted all sectors in 2021.

Just a few months ago, Kronos, one of the largest HR companies in the world fell victim to a ransomware attack, halting services that many companies use to manage employees and payrolls.

Now, the need for cybersecurity jobs could be at an alltime high.

Statistics released by Forbes show American businesses suffered 50% more cyberattack attempts per week in 2021. Hackers are taking advantage of the fact that more people are working from home, making companies more vulnerable.

Businesses need cyber security experts. But the field is battling a significant workforce gap. This means companies are having a harder time protecting their online systems.

One non-profit in St. Louis, CyberUp, helps adults learn new skills in the cyberspace industry and trains teens to prepare for careers in this field. Tony Bryan, CyberUp’s Executive Director, said St. Louis has thousands of positions to fill. “There is a known shortage of 497,000... open cyber security roles in the United States,” he said. “In St. Louis alone, there are over 7,500 jobs open. The reality is, there’s not enough people getting put into the workforce that are going to be able to fill those roles....”

The group said it has recently seen more people in St. Louis looking to make a career change and learn cyber security skills to secure these jobs. Some are leaving their current fields by choice, while others are being pushed

There is a known shortage of 497,000... open cyber security roles in the United States. In St. Louis alone, there are over 7,500

out by increased automation. People who work as waiters, inspectors, receptionists and groundskeepers have some of the highest risks of having their positions automated over the

next decade.

“Things like what we do are a really good opportunity for somebody who is looking for that next thing in -- I happen to use the word like -- a

‘pandemic-resilient’ career...,”

Bryan said. “If I fear my job is going to be phased out because of a pandemic or because of automation, you know finding hard skills that aren’t going to

get phased out as a really great way.”

According to CyberUp’s website, the industry average for persons of color working in the cybersecurity industry is

23%, while CyberUp’s numbers for persons of color are 50%.

From 2013 to 2021, the number of open cybersecurity positions has gone up by 350%.

Photo courtesy of CyberUp

jobs open.

UMSL chosen to serve as education partner for Amazon Career Choice program

By Steve Walentik UMSL Daily

Amazon has selected the University of Missouri–St. Louis as a strategic partner to provide educational opportunities to its employees in the St. Louis region through the Amazon Career Choice program.

The program empowers Amazon’s hourly employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere in the workforce by providing degree, certification and upskilling opportunities. Program benefits include full college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas and GEDs. Amazon is investing $1.2 billion to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025, so they can move into higher-paying, in-demand jobs.

“The University of Missouri–St. Louis is proud to partner with Amazon to enhance educational access and opportunities for its employees,” said Natissia Small, UMSL’s vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration. “We believe strongly in the power of higher education to transform lives, and with UMSL’s long history of educating and training the St. Louis region’s workforce, we are primed to partner with businesses like Amazon to support their employees in achieving lifelong success.” Amazon launched its Career Choice program in 2012, and it has now been implemented in 14 countries. More than 50,000 Amazon employees have participated in the program worldwide, including 35,000 in the

United States. More than half of Amazon Career Choice participants identify as Black, Hispanic or Native American, and their most popular fields of study are health care, transportation and information technology. There is a rigorous selection

process for Amazon Career Choice education partners. Those selected are focused on supporting students throughout their educational program, assisting them with job placements and overall offering academic and training programs that lead to career success.

“We look forward to UMSL coming on board as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of bestin-class offerings available to our employees,” said Tammy Thieman, the global program lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program. “We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We have intentionally cultivated a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience. Today, over 50,000 Amazon employees around the world have already participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.” For more information on Amazon’s Career Choice, visit: https://www.aboutamazon.com/ news/workplace/career-choice

Photo by August Jennewein

UMSL will serve as an education partner for the Amazon Career Choice program, which provides hourly employees full tuition to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere.

Do you want to change careers or jobs?

By STL.works

No one is immune to falling into a slump at work. There are a multitude of reasons that keep us from leaping into the work day, excited to contribute:

• You have a bad manager

• You’re the bad manager

• You dislike your coworkers

• You’re unhappy with your salary

• You’re unhappy with your progression within the company

• You’re unhappy with your benefits

• You have issues with the company’s culture

While all of these have the potential to send you searching for a career change, it’s important to stop and consider if a company or practice area change would be all you need to stay on your current career path.

If you like what you do — and just not who you’re doing it for — your efforts are best spent finding a new team, department, or company to work for.

What are you lacking in your current career?

Again, there are a multitude of reasons why people seek new career paths. It’s important to clearly define what yours are. It will give you the ability to avoid them when evaluating what you want to do next. In no particular order, here are the top reasons why most of us consider a career change:

• Dissatisfied with pay or salary potential

• Lack of healthcare or savings benefits

• No clear growth path for your position

• No opportunity to learn or advance skills

• Seeking a less stressful career

• Seeking a better work-life balance

• Seeking a better alignment between personal values and professional work You might tick all these

boxes, or you may have a completely different set of reasons why you’re seeking a midlife career change. Again, regardless of your reasons it’s just important to diagnose them now so you can avoid going through the same disappointments in the future.

Where can I start?

If you’re reading this you’ve likely already been wanting a new position, job, or considering a career change. There are three important steps you should walk through:

1. Evaluate your finances.

It’s truly a luxury to just be able to quit your job and figure it out later. For the vast majority of us we rely on our current job to pay our bills, for our health care benefits, and more. You need to look at your finances for two reasons: to determine what you want to be making and to determine what the path looks like to get there.

Be practical. If you want to make a career change but the earning potential doesn’t align with the salary you need to support yourself, you’ll need to make some personal adjustments. Is the reduced salary worth it? Make sure you’re not trading one problem for another. If the career change you want to make will require education and training that can’t be done while working your current position, you’ll need to evaluate your monthly costs and save so you can cover your expenses during your training and transition into a new career.

2. Lean on the experience and expertise of others. You need to talk to people who have made a career change and people who are in the industry you are interested in pursuing. Ask them why they made a career change, how they did it and what they would change if they had to do it over again. Ask about specialities, practice areas, and local com-

panies you might be interested in working for. You’re letting others know you have interest, giving them an opportunity to help if they can.

3. Educate yourself on the skills and experience you lack.

While tapping your network will give you a baseline expectation for what you need to know, you’ll still need to do your due diligence in assessing what further level of training or education is needed to make a career change.Sometimes a career change looks enticing but doesn’t truly align with our abilities or interests.

Are you building on skills you already have?

Are you interested in learning these new skills, or do you see them as a barrier to your potential new career?

Are their local or online programs available to you to learn these skills and what are the associated costs?

Will you be able to complete the courses while working your current job?

Are there companies offering training on the job or tuition reimbursement?

What is a good midlife career change?

As adults it’s important that we maintain the youthful belief of no limits — we just need to pair that with reality. If you’re seeking a midlife career change in St. Louis, understanding the market opportunity across industries is important to choosing a path that has potential. Easy career changes that pay well are not as elusive as you might think. As a resource for St. Louis job seekers, STL. works knows the following industries are booming. They offer innovative paths towards skill and knowledge building, making them a more attractive option for those who want to change careers without reentering a traditional education pathway.

Trades

Trade jobs are in high demand in the St. Louis area and nationwide. Careers in HVAC, as a plumber or pipefitter, carpenter, welder, electrician, and a heavy machinery or automotive mechanic have an average salary potential of $80,000 per year.

Technology

Technology is a critical component for all businesses. If you like the idea of keeping your career options open, technology is your golden ticket. Careers in web development, system architecture and analysis, cybersecurity analysis, technical support, and app development are available across companies,

industries, and locations. Along with accelerated programs and coding workshops, many companies will hire and train new employees into technology positions. Getting paid to learn will likely seem foreign to those of us still paying off student loans, but the technology sector is hungry for new talent so now is an opportune time to get started.

Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing jobs encompass both the trades and technology and offer incredibly satisfying work for people who prefer to work with their hands and enjoy being able to physically see what they’ve helped to build through their efforts. Careers as a machinist, quality control inspector, CNC

programmer, and precision machine engineer are available for those who are willing to invest in technical training through a certification program, training course, or associate’s degree.

Healthcare

If you want to work in an industry where you’re making a difference, it’s hard to beat healthcare.If a career as a radiology technologist, medical lab technician, pharmacy technician, physical therapy assistant, medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or registered nurse interests you there are multiple pathways to gain the skills and experience needed to enter the field of healthcare.

St. Louis construction firm sees minorities and women as keys to labor shortage

By Danny Wicentowski St. Louis Public Radio

In spring 2015, Kevon White knew he needed a better job. His wife was pregnant with triplets, and his family was about to grow from three to six children. His job at a local casino just wasn’t going to cut it.

Eventually, White’s job search led him to McCarthy Building Cos. Now, after several promotions, he’s working for the company as a foreman.

“I just went on the hunt,” White said, reflecting on his job path during Friday’s St. Louis on the Air. “I knew I

wasn’t going to hit the lottery. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But I just started my journey … looking for another job.”

White’s path from being completely inexperienced in the skilled construction field to overseeing other workers is an example that the construction industry desperately needs to replicate, said Ryan Molen, senior vice president at McCarthy.

“We have this workforce that’s aging out,” Molen observed during Friday’s show. “We need to grow the workforce. But we also need to increase diversity.” The shortage of skilled labor

is being felt both locally and nationally. Molen identified multiple variables behind the shortage, such as older workers taking advantage of good retirement benefits and burned-out workers leaving the industry during the pandemic. But he argues that replacing those workers will take new strategies and training programs — and that means reaching out to people who have not historically been involved in the industry, particularly women and minorities.

Another part of McCarthy’s strategy involves putting the construction field on the radar of young people and engaging

with kids as early as grade school.

“A lot of folks are not considering construction [jobs], because they’re just not aware of them,” Molen said. He added that many kids simply haven’t been exposed to “how great those jobs are, what the benefits are, what kind of pay there is.”

Molen said McCarthy has organized multiple training programs geared to students, including sponsoring “STEM Saturdays” at the Parkway School District and hosting a training session with female students from more than a

dozen area high schools, demonstrating examples of drywall framing, electrical work and formed concrete.

Still, there’s a lot of work to be done to reverse the current shortage of skilled workers. The 2021 State of the St. Louis Workforce Report found that local employers need an average of 42 days to fill positions for construction laborers, despite those workers earning an average of $57,000.

Workers also continue to leave the industry: Earlier this week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its March 2022 data on hiring and labor

turnover — and found that the month’s reported “quits” in the national construction industry are up by 69,000. In total, 389,000 construction workers left the industry in March. But Molen says he’s optimistic about the industry’s future, especially when McCarthy can attract and retain employees like White. White’s triplets, meanwhile, just turned 7. He told St. Louis on the Air that he credits his kids with giving him the push that brought him to McCarthy — and to an industry that was willing to invest the time and training in a fresh hire.

Skilled construction workers like Kevon White can earn high pay — but many companies are struggling with a labor shortage.

Photo by Danny Wicentowski

Summer jobs applications for local youth accepted through May 30

Applications are now available for youth and employers to participate this summer with STL Youth Jobs, a youth employment organization that offers paid jobs to young people ages 16-24, and paid career exploration to ages 14-15. Each participant receives upfront job readiness and financial empowerment trainings, a Job Coach for mentorship, a youth-friendly bank account, and a paid work-based experience. Youth can check their eligibility and apply online between now and May 30. Businesses can also apply to have the opportunity to meet

their summer staffing needs while training, mentoring and developing the future workforce. Businesses interested in providing work experiences can sign-up to fund and/or provide jobs here. This summer, STL Youth Jobs is seeking work opportunities for about 550 young people. Since 2013, STL Youth Jobs has provided paid work experiences to over 5,000 youth. STL Youth Jobs has built an employer network of over 250 employer partners since 2013 that includes 16 different industries representing small and large business in both the public and private sectors. The organization

capitalizes on the expertise of existing community-based assets to deliver the STL Youth Jobs service model. Current program providers include MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries, Educational Data Systems, Inc., the St. Louis Internship Program and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. This coordinated system creates a centralized point of entry for all youth and businesses to participate.

“It is more critical now than ever to increase access to highquality, supportive summer jobs for our young people,” said Hillary Frey, executive director of STL Youth Jobs. “Our goal is to make it as

Photo courtesy of stlyouthjobs.org

Connie Douglas finds her calling as a nurse practitioner

For Connie Douglas, nursing is more than just a profession. It’s a calling.

“Even as a young girl, I loved taking care of people,” she says. “You have to have the right heart and a soul to do this job. I love figuring out the mystery behind a patient’s diagnosis, and seeing people go from a place of no hope to having hope.”

A clinical nurse practitioner since 2009 (and a practicing nurse since 1999), Douglas has worked her way through nearly every hospital department there is, from intensive care and emergency rooms to burn care and gastroenterology. Now, she leads and manages the Community Health Access Program at Christian Hospital, an acute-care medical center in St. Louis and part of the BJC HealthCare system.

n “We serve as a bridge for patients between the hospital and their primary care provider. Our goal is to reduce readmissions and improve access to care.”

– Connie Douglas

“We serve as a bridge for patients between the hospital and their primary care provider,” she explains. “Our goal is to reduce readmissions and improve access to care.”

Working with underserved communities has been an eye-opening change for Douglas coming from her prior position at another hospital.

“At first, I thought community health would be simple making sure patients have their medicines and see their doctors,” she says. “Christian Hospital is located amid a food desert in a zip code with low literacy and low employment. Many of these people can’t afford to see their doctors or take their medicines due to a lack of resources. My job is to address their barriers and figure out what works for them.”

As a nurse practitioner, Douglas is able to see patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medications — functioning in much the same way as a primary care doctor.

However, she admits she does miss the bedside patient contact that nursing provides.

Having earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Maryville University in St. Louis, Douglas is currently hoping to complete a doctorate by the end of this year. She credits the many fellowships she’s done with instilling a well-rounded and patient-centric approach to patient care.

“I’m always making sure to be 100% patient-focused,” she says.

Although a nursing shortage is still in effect, Douglas advises prospective candidates to seriously consider the reasons for their interest in the profession.

“Shadow a working nurse and figure out if this is exactly what you want to do,” she says. “So many people are entering the field because of job security, but they don’t have the compassion they really need to do this work.”

Douglas also sees a lot of opportunity in the community health sector, where she hopes to continue making a difference and improving lives.

“I just want to keep striving,” she says. “I’m doing this to set an example for my children. They all want to go into healthcare!”

Nationally-ranked BJC HealthCare comprises numerous hospitals and health service organizations across the St. Louis region. Increased compensation packages are now available to qualified nursing candidates. To learn more, visit bjcopportunity.org

Connie Douglas now leads and manages the Community Health Access Program at Christian Hospital, an acute-care medical center in St. Louis and part of the BJC HealthCare system.